Oh my Precursor's... This chapter kicked my but..

Seriously, I re wrote it I don't know how many times! This one I was satisfied with, I mean, the way the race was won is not as good as the last one, but it's still pretty good in my opinion:)

I go camping next week and hopefully I'lll have another chapter up before then!

Happy Forth of July peeps! Be happy you don't live in Panem!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Jak and Daxter... Now WHO WINS THE BLOODY RACE!?

"Time me again."

"Krystall, we've been doing this all-"

"Just do it, Taffy."

Taffy does as she asks, pressing the button, and before the word go escapes his lips she's off down the track once more. Taffy does nothing but smile, and shakes his head as he watches Krystall drive along the empty track, tyring to beat her last time. That girl was so determined to win that race. At first, Taffy and the boy's thought that it was just because she was happy to be back. Everyone thought that because of Keira's decision that she would miss out on the next season. However, it was revealed that it wasn't that at all. Krystall was ecstatic to be back, without a doubt, but no one has seen her train so eagerly.

"How is she doing?"

Taffy smiles, "Great. In fact more than great. She's beaten her best time twice," He looked at the stopwatch he was holding, "And she's gonna do it again."

Ace comes and stands by his racer, watching the girl sped down the track, "That bike is doing good for her."

"We've been working on it all day."

"Krystall? Working on a bike?"

"Precursors, no! She can race, but she's not much of a mechanic," Ace laughs, "I mean, she knows how everything works, knows bikes better than the back of her hand, but no way in hell would we give her a screwdriver."

Ace watched as Krystall zoomed passed them, and skid to a stop, slightly leaning her bike back, and turning it sideways. Both men walked to her as she removed her helmet. The girl raked her messy helmet hair down with her hand before giving a glance over to the men beside her.

"How'd I do?" She asked, sounding a bit breathless.

Taffy smiled, "Beat your last time. Got 1.067."

Krystall looked to the roof with her eyes closed, and gave a small groan, "I still wasn't able to get under a minute."

Taffy laughed, "Krys, even Errol wouldn't have been able to get under a minute on this track! You'll be able to beat him easily tomorrow!"

"It's not worried about Errol."

"Then who?...Jak?"

"Yeah. Just a bit."

"Is it because of that bet?"

She looked over to Ace after he joined the conversation, "How'd you guy's learn about that?"

Ace gave a smile, "Keira doesn't seem to keen on the idea. I walked in on Keira talking with a blonde friend of hers.I see her work over in a bar across town…"

"You drink Ace? I don't think I've ever seen you drink?"

"Really Krys!" The group looks over to Jacobi and Ron who walk over to them. Ron was geared up, and ready to race, being the only one of the group other than Krystall who's going to participate.

"What?" Krystall asks confused. Taffy scoffs before stating, "Out of everything he said, that was the only thing you cared about?"

"You want me to lie?"

"Sure."

"Then yes."

The group explodes in laughter, including Ace. Taffy looks around as Ace goes over the plans for tomorrow before Krystall was dismissed from training. She and Jacobi walked out, and was planning on going over some mechanics with her bike to make sure it was perfect for the race.

As Ron jumped on his bike and took off, him and Ace still talked about the copper headed racer. It was just good to have her back.

…

"Krystall?"

I ignored the voice, and snuggled deeper into my pillow.

"Krystall?"

The voice still persisted, but my sleepy self was determined to succeed.

"Go away," I mutter in a tired voice, while swatting in the general direction on the noise. A small thud followed, but any and all sounds were blocked from my brain as I only comprehended getting back to a glorious, restful sleep-

"WAKE UP KITTEN! THIS IS NOT DAY TO SLEEP IN"

I immediately sat up in my bed, now angry at whoever just woke me up. And woke me up using that horrible nickname.

I see Daxter, suddenly turning sheepish at the sight of me grumpy from being rudely awakened. Unfortunately for him, he was all alone. Which mean that all my anger would just have to be spent on him.

Oh well. Should have thought of that before he woke me up.

"What do you want, oh annoying one?" I asked him, glaring with my eyes.

"C'mon it's Racing Day!" Daxter stated, spreading his arms wide, "Aren't you excited?"

With a stoic look, I answered by slapping him onto the floor. For the second time in less than five minutes, the animal landed flat on his back on my floor. While he grumbled, and complained, I swung my legs over the side of my bed. Ignoring the ottsel, and walking towards the living room.

I take a deep breath as I get closer. Olivia must have made the coffee before she left. I'll have to thank her. I needed it. My body slightly ached from all the riding I've done in the past twenty-four hours. My legs were sore due to the fact that I haven't raced this hard in a long time. However, the results were fruitful, and I swear, up, down, and all around that I was going to race more often.

"You couldn't have been more gentle with the merchandise here?!" Daxter waddled up to me, rubbing his eye, and looking slightly disheveled after being slapped.

I didn't pay any mind to him. Only grabbing my cup from the cupboard, and pouring the coffee into it. He began to use my body as a ladder, but I just ignored it. After added a small amount of cream and sugar, I took a long, cautious sip of the bitter drink, letting the smell enter my nostrils, and let out a loud exhale of satisfaction.

"Coffee is good," I say, and look to the rat on my shoulder, "I am better now."

Daxter rolls his eyes, "Yeah, well that's all fine and dandy, but do you realize that you need to decide what you're gonna do about the bet today? It's race day, and non of us know what you plan on doing?!"

"I know."

"What?"

"I don't even know what I'm doing."

"…"

"So you're just...going with the flow?"

"Something like that?"

"Huh," Daxter states without any sort of idea what to say, "Okay...I guess."

I raise my eye brow and look at him while he's perched on my shoulder, "You came to wake me up, quite rudely, just to find out what I was going to do with my side of the bet?"

Daxter nodded, "Pretty much."

I rolled my eyes and moved to sip my coffee while muttering, "Busy-body."

"Caffeine Addict

"Can't deny what's true, stuffie."

We both continued until I got tired of the yelling. Honestly, I had planned to spend my morning in absolute peace before I had to go and finish up work on my bike, and do a couple of practice laps before the race at noon. But NOOOOO! This annoying brat of a rat had to ruin it all.

"So," I ask once I finish my coffee, and slowly chew on a piece of bagel, "What are you doing here?"

Daxter shrugged, "Jak's been in a bit of a mood today."

I gave a bit of a smirk, "Afraid he's gonna lose at the races?"

Daxter shrugged, "I think he's just going through a mid-life crisis…"

"Dax," I said blankly, "He's seventeen."

"Well, he's got some sort of problem!" Daxter exclaimed.

"That's not new information, Dax." I rolled my eyes as Daxter gave a small chortle. I never thought that Jak was going through some sort of "crisis" as Daxter put it. I would think that he would tell me about his problem. I mean, these past few days have been a bit hectic, seeing as we both have had completely different schedules, and because of it we haven't been able to see much of each other. Although, he has tried to talk to me before about something, but we always get interrupted, that or he just doesn't want to tell me.

I swear boy's are weird.

My alarm on my communicator begins to go off suddenly. Daxter and I both cover our ears as the old jingle jangle surprises us before I'm able to register what it's for.

"Precursors!" I state, turning it off, and jumping out of my chair, "I need to get to the stadium!"

Daxter is still rubbing his ringing ears, "Wha-?" But that's all the guy has to say before I push him off, and run into my room to get dressed.

"If you need a ride there, Dax I'll take ya, but I need to get ready, or the boy's will have my head!"

A loud scream of anger and pain erupted throughout the apartment, no doubt from Daxter. If I had time to laugh at the little bugger I would, but I didn't.

I had a date with a bike, a track, and a group of men. No way was I gonna miss it.

...

Jak jumped off the bike from a short practice run. He now sat on the bars in front of a row watching the next group of racers go up for a practice run on the track. Daxter had gone to bug Krystall stating that Jak was PMS, and would meet him here. In truth, Jak was acting like a girl at the moment. Keira called Jak asking for him to come in, and Jak didn't want to go. He know what it was going to be about.

She wanted to make up. He did too, just not in the way that she wanted to. He spent the past few weeks afte the Class Two race to decide what his plan of action was going to be, and he finally decided. He just didn't know how to break it to Keira.

I mean, how are you suppose to tell a girl, mind you you're childhood sweetheart, that you're no longer interested, but interested in someone completely different, and who she hates with a burning passion? To be honest, Jak was afraid of how Keira would react. I mean, the girl had a certain fire in her bones, but he didn't know how far it would go. The worst he's seen was during the small fights they had. She would get angry, and it wouldn't fade for days. Shows how much she's changed. It's been weeks.

Jak took a deep breath, clearing his mind of the thoughts, and worries he had. He's fought monsters, and he's afriad of facing a girl, actually two? Something has to be wrong. He looked back down at the track. When he failed to see a certain girl, decided to try to see if there was an ottsel nearby, and if there was a decent food joint nearby that wouldn't kill his wallet.

…

When I had arrived the boy's were hard at work, and I was only all too eager to join them.

I was ecstatic for this race. It was the first, real race that I would face against Jak. Sure we've had our small amounts of fun, but nothing quite like this. I've seen he's skills at handling a vehicle, and I had always known that it wasn't going to be easy to beat him. Then there is also that there's the whole win-a-free-tour-of-the-palace which Jak has been itching to do since our last visit. This race was a ticket to get inside the Baron's headquarters, and see exactly what he's hiding. What he plans on doing with the Stone, what's happened with his connections with the Metal Head Leader, and maybe where he's hidden the Kid.

Oh yeah, and then there's Errol.

Errol has always been quite a favorite on the track. No one can deny that the man has skills. When Keira had started racing a few years back, when she had risen to the top as a racer, Errol was the one who was able to beat her winning streak. To be honest, it made me mad. I wanted to be the one to do that. The boy's and I have won a few of these races, but it's been rare. I've been racing for years, the boy's even longer, and Ace has had racers before us, and we can count our trophies of Class One races on one hand. Errol has mountains of them, and I wanted to be the one to bring them down, crashing on his twisted little head. It was the least of what he deserved. For putting Jak through two years of torture, for putting me in jail, for taking the Kid, for keeping Samos Sr. locked up, for deceiving Keira, and humiliating Jak, and oh, so, so much more.

Despite the thoughts of revenge running in my head, my team made sure that this day was fun. I haven't spent as much time with them as much as I used too before I was cut off of the team. I missed my boys. They were my family. Very much like Torn and Samos. We just messed around. If one of us was hurting, there were no words that needed to be said, just a comforting presence, and a hand in payback if necessary.

We joked. Spoke of old times. Jacobi tried to teach me a bit on my bike's engine, and what's what, but I refused to touch the thing. I was never a good mechanic. That's why we had Keira. Now, we have each other to learn and help out. Except me. I just "watch and look pretty" reminding them every once in a while to "put their backs into it".

Right now, I was making the boy's sandwiches from some groceries that we kept in a small fridge in the garage. Taffy was coaching Ron on tactics to use in the race. I was going to be next. We needed to be as ready as we could be, and we needed to make sure that above all that we would have our teammates backs. Only, I will have two on the track. No doubt, Jak is gonna need to back up with Errol bound to harass him at every corner. I looked back to the clock. It was an hour to the race. The thought made butterflies in my belly, and my head began to spin. This was going to be the biggest race of my life.

…

"Attention all racers. The Class One Championship Race is about to begin!"

"Well, here goes...The race of my life."

Jak took a big breath as he looked at the people in the room. Samos Sr. had arrived at the request of his daughter, to give everyone information regarding the Rift Ring. Daxter had found his way back to his partner, telling him of everything tht happened while he was off with Krystall. Finally, Keria stood there looking slightly uncomfortable with this situation. This is the most that they have talked since the big fight. Her body language, the way she seemed to avoid his gaze all told him that things will never be the same. Not after what was said that night. Not after today.

"Jak?"

Her apprehensive voice brought her back from his thoughts as he looked at the girl in front of him, " I just wanted you to know...Well, you're the best racer I've ever seen."

"Well, I wish I could say the same!" Daxter said from his place by Jak's side, he turned and faced his buddy, "You got one heck of a time before ya, buddy if you wanna win that bet!"

"You think you could do better? You wanna drive?"

Daxter's eyes widened, "Against that crazy loon Errol?! NO WAY! You got the handlebars, brother! And you better keep us alive or I will never speak to you again! Obviously!"

"Leave them in the dust, Jak!"

...

"Now, remember, both of you," Ace was reminding us, "Keep close to the wall, cut corners when you can, and try to play it safe. Errol isn't the only racer up there known for playing dirty on the track."

"We get it Ace," Ron replied, and I nodded my head, looking at the track down below, the stanzas were filled with citizens, waiting for the race to start. People busied themselves like insects below with the setup. This race was perhaps one of the biggest events in Haven. Everyone in the city has had to be there at least twice.

Ron and I geared up and got ready. My hair was pulled back into a French braid, and laid on my right shoulder. I was already in my dark blue, worn out jeans, and my light blue racing jacket. I felt at ease wearing my racing gear. The boy's complained about it being too hot to wear, or unnecessary, or even just that no one else besides Errol has racing gear. I never minded though. Ron's outfit was similar, except all the boy's had gray racing gear, claiming it to be more "manly" then the light blue colors of our team.

"Attention all racers. The Class One Championship race is about to begin!"

"Well about time!" Ron breathes out as he grabs his helmet from a near by table. I give a laugh as we walk out towards the Arena. Everything seems to be busy as a wumpbeehive as we make our way down. People are rushing back and forth between garages and the track. The world around me is buzzing with life, yet, to me it's so...Slow.

Everyone around me, along with their business fades away as I focus on the track a head of me. My thoughts only that of the race ahead. The rush of joy that covers me is incredible. If it wasn't for the fact that Ron was walking steadily beside me, I would rush to my bike and hop on, eager to get the race underway.

"Your jittering is making me nervous," Ron says with a slight humor to his voice.

We stop at the gate leading to the bikes. Most of the racers are already there, and making last minute preparations before we start. I turn my attention from them to my partner and give a slight smile.

"Sorry," I tell him, "I'm just excited."

He smiles back, "Yeah, me too." With that we push open the gate and walk towards our respective bikes. Each right next to each other. His was a different model than the rest of ours, and he takes great pride in it. He always told us that it was his dad's when he raced back in the day. That when he was young, they would spend hours working on it, fixing it up, keeping it in shape until it became a creation all on it's own. Mine beside him was something of the sort. It was one of the extra's that Ace had in the garage that just needed a tune up. The bike was silver-colored, with small lines of dark blue running along the sides. It was small and slim, just my kind of bike. Ever since I was for sure in the race, the boy's have been working hard to fix it up for me. Yesterday and most of today was spent making sure that the calibrating on the thing was wired up to fit my style, and whatever mumbo-jumbo stuff that they did to make it the top-of-the-line, fine racing machine it is right now. Then again, I only say that because it was my boy's who got it running. The bike looked good though, almost like it was new. All joking aside, we enter the gate, and stand beside our respected bikes. I search to find my old baby, sitting without a rider. I hope that Jak didn't get into a fight with Keira again, and walked off. Or worse, that they made up.

I check over my bike to make sure everything is in order. Ron walks over and helps me a bit with that, and next thing I know, my systems are all go, and my headset is in place.

"Alright, lady and gentlemen," I chuckled as I hear Jacobi's voice break through the speaker, "Are you both ready to get your asses handed to you on a silver platter?"

"Glad to know that you have such faith in us," Ron states blandly.

"I know," I respond a smile on my face, "I'd think we'd be worth being on a gold platter rather than silver."

Chuckles vibrated through the speaker as Jacobi was taken off line, and was replaced with Taffy, "Alright you guys, let's get our game on out there. Remember, don't stray to far from each other. You have to have each other's backs."

"Got it." We replied.

"Saffron, watch Krys's back. It's been a while since she's been on the track, so stay on her trail and watch her six! Krys, pay attention on the track. Watch your surroundings, and be sure that you keep up communication with Saffron. Am I clear?"

"Crystal," Ron states, and we glance at each other with small smirks on our faces.

A loud roar stops our little moment as I see Errol ride up, and take his place right next to a familiar blonde who I haven't even see appear on the track. I glare at the sight of him, while Errol states something to Jak. For a moment, I see his eyes meet mine before he looks away in disgust. I glare before a pair of dark blue eyes meet mine, I give a small smile.

"Greetings Racers!"

…

"I don't just want to win Eco Freak," Errol states as he rolls up beside Jak, "I want YOU!"

Jak glares at the man as Daxter blows him a raspberry. However, Errol still looks away, concentrated on something beside him, before shaking it off and focusing on the track. Jak followed his gaze and met a pair of familiar, blue orbs. Krystall's gaze was hardened as she looked at Errol, but once she meet his, her look softened. She gave a small smile, and her eyes began to glow. Jak felt the world stop, right at that moment. It was just them

"Greetings Racers!"

The voice turned Jak's attention from the girl, to his most hated enemy. Praxis stood on a floating platform, side by side with two KG's. The platform was decorated outlandishly, showing off his high office, and influence over the city. The sight made Jak snarl, and he focused all his attention on the man in front of him.

"Today," Praxis started, looking over the racers, " your nerve and skill will be tested for our amusement! If any of you should by chance defeat our Grand Champion, Errol, then you will be rewarded a months supply of Eco!"

Praxis turns to the side, and mutters almost incomprehensibly, "And a short tour of my Palace to see how the other half lives," before turning back and stating, "Good luck! And die bravely!"

"...Ready," Errol gives one last look to Jak before sliding on his mask.

Jak settles into his seat, focused on the road ahead, "Get set…"

Krystall takes a deep breath, focusing on the lights as the colors turn. Red. Yellow. Green.

…

The light flashes green, and I press the gas.

"Go!" Praxis's voice booms, but we're already off. I swerve among the crowd, trying to get to the outer ring, allowing me more ground to cut corners and rise in placement.

Find Ron. Find Ron. I keep telling myself, and right as we turn the first corner I spot the flash of gray amount the bright colors of the other racers, and move towards it. I lowered myself down to the bike, and gained some extra speed, almost landing my self beside Ron. I was suddenly jerked to the side. The rider separating me from Ron bumped me towards the outer rim of the track, trying to get me closer to the other wall. This happened repeatedly. He would bump his tire with mine, and knock me away, each time with failure. Once I got tired of this game, I simple did the same, bunked his bike back, and then he was met with Ron. Ron knocked the bike away from his, using the full weight of his bike, causing him to be knocked back a few positions.

"Good going you guys! Stay towards the middle, and out of the crowds of the racers. Keep low, and drive steady without changing speeds and losing momentum. Help each other out, and keep it up!" Taffy's voice reverberated in my helmet, and I looked to Ron, giving him a slight nod that he returned before turning our attention over to the race. We're behind four other racers. Two of them were people I knew.

Side by side, me and Ron kept up our pace as we entered the tunnel. We made our way down the track. Soon we entered the tunnel, the lights flashing behind us as we entered. I watched ahead to find one of the racers disappear in a flash of angry flames.

"Speed up! Speed up!" I told Ron over the loudness of our engines. We both hit the gas, and I can feel the vibrations of our engines as we zoom through the tunnel. The flames from the small explosion do exactly what I thought, eating up as much as the oil mixed air as it can, and begin to fill up the tunnel. careful to avoid the flames before they encompass the tunnel. We squeeze through, pressing ourselves to the edge of the wall before we're able to get through. I have a sudden wish to turn around and see what has happened to the other racers, but my better judgement decides against it.

We get out of the tunnel. Catching up quickly to the three racers a head of us. Now, I am ahead of Ron as we go down the track. Keeping close to the wall, and leaning over my bike, I try to get more momentum in order to pass.

Before I know it, we've passed the finishing line, tied neck and neck with the man in third.

Two more laps to go…

…

Jak passes the finish line of his first lap. He's held up first place for the entire race so far. Now if he could-

"Out of my way, Eco Freak!" Errol's voice resounds in his ears before he's roughly pushed into the wall. He let's out a wince of pain as he pushes his leg into the metal of the bike to avoid serious injury. Errol then bounces off Jak's bike before zooming ahead of him.

Jak let's out a growl before hitting the gas, willing his bike to speed up. He can hear Daxter shouting things in his ear as he tries his best to catch up to Errol just a few feet away. Slowly his bike inches back towards Errol, and he releases a small smile of satisfaction. However, it is soon turned in to frustration as Errol, again tried to ram into Jak once more.

He manages a little bump, but with more momentum, Errol drives his bike into Jak's pinning him to his bike. Errol tries to throw some punches, but Jak manages to block them while they enter the tunnel. Once they enter the tunnel though, Errol begins to do his best to ram Jak into the wall. Daxter screams insults at Errol, trying to attract his attention, but it doesn't work. A battle of strength and wills occurs as they both begin to push their bikes towards one another, trying to make the other wall under the pressure, crash, and burn.

A sudden jerk catches the two drivers by surprise, and before they can recover, another jerk causes the two bikes to be separated. Jak watches as two drivers push Errol away from Jak, making him lose momentum so that with one last bump, he falls behind the two bikes. Jak focuses on the road, but watches the two with wary eyes. He can't really see them through the dim lights of the tunnel, but the recognition of these two nag the back of his head. He should know who these two are…

"Thought you needed some help," a deep voice calls out to him from his left. Jak immediately ties the voice into his first race, when all of…

Wait a minute.

"What's the matter hero?" Her voice states on his right, "Did you get scared?"

He focuses on the road, making sure he's not going off course, only to take a quick glance at the female next to him. Most of her face was hidden by the helmet, but the smile on her lips, and the slight sparkle of her eyes behind the visors was a given that it was her. She wore the same racing outfit that he had seen her in before, but the bike was completely new. The colors matched the colors he had seen on Ace's team.

"Not a chance!" Daxter yells from his position on the back, allowing Jak to wake up out his reverie, and focus on the track. The three go side by side, and before they all know it…

"LAST LAP!"

…

"Alright you two, let's pick up the pace! Show that newbie who owns this track!"

I resist to let out a holler as I hear Taffy's voice through our headset. Instead, a chuckle suffices, and I bring all my focus on to the track ahead of me. We go around the first turn again, and I stay close to my seat, and tilt my bike to fit with the curve of the turn, staying as close to the wall as possible. Jak is smart though, and at the last minute he allows a small boost on the gas to get him ahead of me, making me second out of all of us.

We go around another curve before entering the tunnel, and I see Ron take the outer side of the track, trying to cut across in front of us. I see Jak switch his focus from me to him, and he moves slightly towards Ron, allowing, me a small entrance. I hit the gas, and narrow myself into my bike to refrain from injury, and just like Jak, I use the momentum from the curve to speed myself up, and I get in front of Jak.

"You got this girl," I hear Ron's voice in my head, "Take it all the way!"

We enter the tunnel, with me still in the lead, but I can hear the familiar sound of the engine I knew well. Jak is closing up on me. I stay with in the middle of the track, and lean forward on my bike. Focusing on the road rather than who I know is behind me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the bike closing in on me. My mouth drops.

"Surprised?" Errol's teases, and I'm stuck in my stupor as he proceeds to ram me into the wall of the tunnel. Without anytime to move, my leg is trapped between the metal of the bike and the cement walls. My leg begins to burn as the wall begins to tear through my boots and racing pants.

"Get him off of you Krys!"

"He's got her trapped! She's gonna crash!"

"Krystall!"

The voices of my friends knock me into action as I lay of the gas, quickly I twist my front to the right, towards Errol's bike before pressing the boost button. His bike is pushed off mine, and twists in the direction of my wheel, causing him to crash into the right wall of the tunnel, and causing him bike to stall until he can get it started again. I tist my bike harshly to keep from crashing sideways, and with my bike close to the ground, I let out my final boost, giving me the momentum to get my bike erect while gaining enough speed to leave the tunnel unharmed and alone.

I reach the out side of the tunnel, and I hear cheers exploded all around me. My heart feels heavy at the realization that Jak might have just crossed the finish line while I was pinned by Errol. However, the sound of engines behind me tell me so otherwise.

I cross the finish line, and twist my bike to the side as it slows to a stop. I lift my visor from my helmet to see the big screen showing the race. I see me. Standing across the finish line. Behind me two other racers pull up and come to a stop. One of them is Ron, and I smile as I watch him take off his helmet, holding it above his head and hollering at the outcome, good or bad I didn't really know until I was picked up from the ground and spun.

Jak spins me around in circles. His arms support my leg's and hold my torso close to him. I head Daxter shouting above the screams of the crowd. I being to laugh as the realization dawned on me that it was not Jak the crowd was cheering for, but for me.

I had won the race.

My laughs join Jaks as he continues to hold me, and before I know it, I'm surrounded by my team. Jacobi tackles me in a hug once I'm on the ground, his arms slung around my neck with his load voice telling me congratulations. Taffy is soon next to him holding my hand in the air, and in the distance I see Ace smiling so wide I swear his face would split. All the while I never feel Jak's hands leave me, on the contrary, one of them slides down to my free and and clasps it tightly.

The pass to get into the Palace is dropped from above, and I catch it with both hands. I stare at the small pass glowing a bit in my hands. I look up at Jak standing beside me, looking at the pass with a growing smirk on his face. I can't contain my smile as I put the pass him his hand, giving a small squeeze as I do.

Suddenly the celebration dies down.

"A brave man of the people…"

I feel Jak tense beside me slightly at the unexpected voice. I see Taffy turn slightly to see the man talking to me, and in Ron and Jacobi's eyes, I can see the reflection of the Baron.

The world around us seems frozen, and I can feel the tension in the air rise. Jak shifts beside me, and I feel myself standing straighter, making sure that our backs are turned against the Baron.

"Who is this worthy opponent? In my world, good men are either bought are broken," Again, Jak tensed at his words, and I didn't blame him. I did the very same, my mouth in a straight line, and my teeth gritting against each other.

"So which is it going to be?" The Baron finishes, his voice taking on a nasty tone. Jak goes to turn around, but I hold him by the arm before reaching up for my helmet. I take it off, holding the edge with one hand while allowing the other to pull the tie holding up my bun. My hair tumbles freely, and now I hope he recognizes me.

"Surprise," I say once I turn around. My hair flies wildly as I turn, and I feel Jak do the same. Suddenly, Jacobi, Ron, and Taffy are surrounding us, all by our side when they don't even realize what they were getting into.

"What?" Praxis recoiled at our presence on the pedestal. His voice betraying surprise.

"Just a little closer," Jak told him beckoning him with a finger, "We need to talk."

"Fools," Praxis states, "What do you think that you and your sidekicks can accomplish? It's over, Jak!" Praxis yells down towards us furiously, "All those hero's have dies long ago! None are left! Only survival remains… by whatever means."

"You'd betray the very city you swore to protect!" I yell, my anger getting a hold of me, "The men who follow you, innocents citizens, your own family! You can't do this!" I take a step forward. I can't help but think of everything he has done to "survive" as he calls it. Threatening Torn, sacrificing Ashelin, kidnapping the Kid, imprisoning my friends, torturing Jak, depriving the citizens….

Oh, I am so DONE with Praxis as leader.

"Don't you understand, girl?" Praxis yells at me, " I can do whatever I please. This city is mine, these lives are mine. THIS WAR IS MINE...And in war: PEOPLE DIE!"

After his speech, he regains his composure, "Kill them."

Sparks of Eco begin to come off of Jak, as he steps forward to reach Praxis until a voice yells out toward us. I recognize it as Taffy's.

"Guys! Out of the way!"

"Look out!"

I look to the track where a whirling sound of an engine grabs my attention. A flash of red appears, and I lock in on Errol's face as he speeds towards us. I stare at his oncoming vehicle, knowing his mission: to kill. I feel several hands latch on to me, and pull me out of Errol's oncoming wrath. I land harshly on the ground, Jak beside me as we watch Errol barge into the barrels of Dark Eco that I had won. The explosion of purple and yellow jars me, and I'm forced to look away. I suddenly feel hands again pulling me up from the ground, my ears ring from the explosion. However, a distinct clattering takes my attention.

On the ground a few feet away, I see Errol's racing mask.

"We need to get you guy's out of here!" Taffy screams.

"After them!"

…

Once we regain control of our senses, Jak and I are able to run through the Stadium on our own. Taffy and Ron's hands let go of us as we race through the hallways. Krimzon Guards run toward us, and Jak is able to take them down. Of course, the guy always carries weapons. As the Guards shot toward us, I worry for the safety on my friends and wish I'd done the same.

"We can't fight all the Guards in the Stadium until they disappear Jak!" I yell at him pulling his gun away, and just ramming it into the last few Guards coming our way, "We need to run and hide!"

I give him back his gun, and he nods, "We need a get-away ride!" Daxter states.

"I think we can help you guy's with that," Taffy says and Ron gives us a smile.

I smirk, "I love you guys."

"Don't cha forget it, girly," Jacobi runs down the hallway towards us, "Already have the zoomer's waiting out side the Stadium!"

"They're not your's or Ace's right?"

"Psh, no! Why?"

"Cause with this guy's driving," I point towards Jak, "they aren't gonna make it."

Jak raises his eyebrows and looks towards me, "Are you saying I'm a bad driver?"

"Who won the race?"

"..."

"Thought so."

"If you guys are done flirting," Ron states annoyed, "Then you guys need to go." He then backs his statement by pointing towards more Guards coming our way.

…

We manage to make it out of the Stadium. Jak and I run down the steps, aware of more Guards that are coming or way, and jump on the two zoomers waiting for us at the bottom of the steps. We practically leap across the steps, and hop on the bikes before taking off.

"What's the plan?" I hear Daxter shout over the wind. However, I'm too preoccupied with the fact that I'm about to-

"Shoot!" I yell as I press the brakes on my bike, and Jak does the same. Traffic is backed up, cause people are leaving the races. Guards on bikes are coming from all sides, and any alley way that we could use to get away is blocked by rows of citizens driving.

"WE NEED TO MOOOOOOVE!" I hear Daxter say, and immediately, I switch zones. Although civilians still walk the streets, it's a lot less crowded than the higher zone. I look up to Jak who see's where I'm at, a surprised look on his face.

"Stay on my tail!" I yell at him before taking off, honking as I went. Civilians quickly move out of the way, and hug the sides of buildings as we zoom by, desperate to get past all the traffic above us. Jak catches up beside us, and we weave our way through the streets of the city. Krimzion Guards are dispatched from everywhere to here, just to kill us. Aren't we just honored?

Gun shots fly past us, and instinctively, I duck close to my bike trying to make me the smallest target possible. Jak and I separate for small moments, getting around the city streets in different ways, before meeting up again side by side. We weave, disappear behind buildings, and yet we are still hunted down.

"What are we gonna do!" I yell at Jak, "We can't lose them!"

I see Jak analyze the area quickly, he gains a quick look onto his face, and before I can question it, he yells, "Jump!"

I face forward and see the bridge ahead of me. My eyes widen before I do as instructed, push my legs under me on the seat, and leap. I fly in the air for a good couple of moments, hearing Daxter's scream before hitting the water. The water encase me, and pushes me under. Bubbles of air taunt me, and remind me to push myself to the surface. My legs begin to kick, and I move my hands cupping handfuls of water away from me.

Once I break the surface and take a lungful of air, my mouth is covered as I'm pushed into a soft wall...Wait.

Nevermind, I'm pulled into Jak's chest. I look up at him, and he makes hushing noises with his mouth. We are hidden in the shadow of the bridge, and our bodies mostly hidden under the cold water. I watch silently as Guards fly pass us, still searching the streets without knowing that we are just under their toes.

Minutes go by, people pass by us, and the number of red blurs dwindle. Jak's hands have moved from my mouth and now encompass my shoulder, his finger's absentmindedly rubbing circles.

Once I realize that the feeling of his finger's moving on my person bother me, I ask him, "Do you think that it's safe to go?"

I feel him shrug behind me, "We could, but to be honest, I don't mind it all that much."

"Say's you!" Daxter nearly screams from his shoulder completely drenched, "You're not shivering and smelling like a crocadog!"

"He's got a point Jak," I state with a smile on my face.

Jak smiles back, and leans apart from me allowing him to be able to look at me better and vice a versa. His hair is drenched, and flat against his face and shoulders. The tips float slightly in the water, but most of it just sinks. His eyes are slightly red from contact with the water, but it just brings out the light in his eyes more, making his dark blue orbs swirl with bits a light blue and violet. His hand then grips a small metal bar that connects the bridge to the street, and his grip on my shoulders allows me some leverage so I don't have to spend a whole lot of energy treading water.

"I never told you congratulations on winning the race," he tells me. I couldn't help but smile wider. I don't know what says congratulations like "picking you up and spinning you around like something special".

"You didn't really have to. We won the race."

He raises an eyebrow, "I'm pretty sure it was you."

"Nope. We did it, didn't we partner?"

"Sure did!" Dax exclaims, "You wouldn't have even qualified if it wasn't for our first race."

"Besides," I tell them, "If we didn't win the race, I think I should take that little pass back…"

Jak's face falls, "I don't think so."

I can't help but laugh, "Good."

"But that still means you won our bet."

"It is isn't it?"

"So what is it?"

"Uh?"

Jak rolls his eyes at my nonchalance towards the situation, "You won which means, I'm at your mercy."

I tap my finger onto my chin and give out a thoughtful hum before stating , "What the heck, we're hanging out."

"What?"

Now it's my turn to roll my eyes, "Tomorrow, you are going to tell Torn that it's your day off, ignore Krew, and we are going to hang out. How long has it been since we've had a good day to ourselves?"

Jak narrows his eyes, a small smirk on his face, "Never?"

"EXACTLY! Most of the time, you have to go off and do stuff, or I have to go on and do stuff, or we're both doing stuff together, and we have NEVER had just a DAY to be normal for once and HANG OUT!"

Jak puts his hand from my shoulder on to my mouth, and makes me realize that I was talking a bit too loud for his liking. I blush red, and raise my hand from the water to smack his shoulder.

"Oh c'mon, let's get out of here!"

"...Wait."

I stop myself from pulling myself onto the street, and turn slightly to look at Jak who along with Daxter is smirking, "So, it's like a date?"

I watch them carefully, but honestly, I don't really know what to say. In all reality, I wanna say yes, but I'm too high off of pride to admit that. Winning a big race, and defeating your big crush in it can inflate your Ego a bit. Precursor's, I'm glad Jak didn't win…

So, I smile, and tell him, "I don't know yet," before pulling myself out of the water.

...

SOOOO GLAD THAT IT'S FINISHED!

Whatcha think? Was it good although a whole bunch of you wanted Jak to win? I thought about it a lot, but c'mon, she's my OC and she has to be than Jak at SOMETHING and we all know it's not shooting!

Read and Review please! This is Captian LiveOutLoud signing off!