Zoe
"I Swear by the Precursors if you don't get out of my Garage I will end you!" I yelled, waving a rather large wrench at the Boys who was retreating out the door.
"You couldn't hit a Kanga-rat with one eye shut!" One retorted snidely, I throwing it at him. He yelped as he ducked behind the doorway, it hitting the wall right where he was a split second ago.
"Let's get out of here" His friend said hurriedly. "Why'd you have to antagonize her?"
"Nice Throw, Z." A voice came from the doorway, It being Ali. She was an older woman who had been in spargus for awhile, and was the one who helped me find my way through the city and not to mention nursed me back to health after my near death experience in the wasteland.
"Thanks." I said, retrieving the wrench. I dusted the sand off it, looking at her.
"You certainly fit in now." She smiled.
"Well it feels like it." I smiled in return. "So whatya need? Please don't tell me it's a repair on your bike I'm backed up with Kleiver's damn buggy." I sighed.
"No, no. I just wanted to invite you to the arena. There's a fight soon. They picked up a recruit the other morning on their scouting mission and now he's ready to prove himself." she said.
"Sounds like fun. I'm game." I smirked, setting down the wrench and following her. You see, In spargus you must prove your worth by participating in Three arena challenges. Winning ( or rather surviving) these grants you armor and a gun mod, and proof that you are worthy of living in spargus. They're warrior people hailing from all over, mostly outcasts like Ali and I.
We could hear the cheering as we approached, we getting a good spot on the balcony to watch the bloodshed. The arena was set up on platforming mode, Damas always throwing that one at newcomers first. I looked over at our ruler, a tall, muscular man with white hair and scars. but there was something else there. On his shoulder. I squinted then eyes widened. Pecker?
"Hail all citizens of Spargus! Welcome to the Arena of Death where we get to watch other people wet themselves. These walls will once again test two newcomers each fighting to prove their worth to stay among us! Let's hear it for Jak and his obnoxious talking animal!" Pecker announced. I In Shock. Jak?! I leaned over to get a better look at the pair walking into the arena. It Was Jak and Daxter alright. But Jak had short hair and a new outfit. I wasn't surprised. But why was he here? How did he get here? Was he here for me? No... I thought everyone thought i was dead. Or they would've come for me months ago. I needed answers.
"let the Games begin!" Pecker announced as the platforming section began. Jak had no trouble with it, I seeing him jump and swing before plenty of times. Ali must've seen my unimpressed look, because she nudged me.
"Are you not entertained?" She asked.
"I've seen people jump before, also he's not gonna fall. This ain't his first time." I said, watching him.
"You know him or something?"
"You can say that." A small smile was on my face. Jak finished, landing on the platform. I, however, snuck passed a few people to get closer so i could hear the conversation between Damas and Jak, but not too close as to arouse suspicion or be seen.
"The candidates have won the challenge." Pecker announced.
"That's right, we bad. You Haven't forgotten what i taught you Jak." Daxter said. I rolled my eyes. I see he hasn't changed.
"Anyone can make a few measly jumps now let's see how you fair against the living.' Damas said as he tosses jak a gun. "Adjust the platforms, Prepare the arena for full combat!"
"Prepare the Arena for full combat!" Pecker repeated.
"I just said that." Damas said annoyed.
"I know i just was you know how you do the thing with the- anyway prepare the warriors." Pecker said.
"You mean we have to fight against actual people with actual weapons? Who actually will hurt us?" Daxter asked nervously.
"Fine. Bring 'em on." Jak said as he pumps the gun. Now i was a bit nervous. This wasn't haven city, these weren't metal heads. These were hardened warriors from the desert and there were a lot of them. I had to resort to dark eco to fight them, and i was hoping Jak wouldn't. We didn't need a reason for Spargus to Kick us out. We needed Damas to trust us.
"Alright that's It! I want to be on his shoulder!" Daxter said as the fight began, Several of the warriors coming out the gate to attack him. The fight lasted about five minutes before the last wave came, Jak getting overwhelmed and out of ammo. He was going to die if he didn't use the Eco powers. I made sure no one was looking, and shot a blast of eco at jak, he absorbing it and being able to transform into his other side. The crowd gasped and someone screamed. I however, moved positions so no one knew it was me. Jak cleared out the last wave with a dark bomb move, and returned to normal using all his eco for that one move. The crown calmed down enough to cheer. I felt someone reach into my mind, and i looked over across the Arena to see Seem look from Jak to me. Uh oh. I was going to be in so much trouble later.
"Something your not telling us, Animal Man?" Damas asked Jak over the deafening applause, i was glad i was nearby to hear it.
"He has been touched with Dark Eco my liege." pecker explained.
"Our Boy here gets a mean and nasty when you piss him off. So don't piss him off. Word to the wise." daxter exclaimed.
"Ah so he is dangerous and that could be useful. Your Bravery has earned you your first battle amulet if you are victorious in two more more arena fights, you will earn your citizenship to Spargus. Here is a gate pass to allow free passage in and out of the city but beware there is no true refuge outside our walls. The desert is less kind than I am and for your victory a gun mod is your prize." Damas says as the crowd cheers. I turn as Jak leaves, Exiting through the back entrance to see if i could catch up to Jak before having to go back to work. First Seem was upset at my antics now Kleiver was gonna be mad that i didn't finish his buggy. Maybe he'd forget about it and use a different one. I rounded the corner to see the big man himself harassing Jak.
"-You two are from the big smoke, eh?"
"Who's asking?" Jak asked.
"The guy who runs this place, that's who." Kleiver snaps, getting into his face and pointing at himself. "Kleiver's the name and you blokes stick with me and I'll take care of ya. In Fact, i have a job for you right now. Ride my leaper lizard right here and catch those litttle boggers that been raidin me storage rooms. Snag me six of them poppies and ill let you drive one of me racing vehicles that is if Damas ever lets you leave this city."
"I think we can handle that." Jak says
"No i hate riding animals. They make me chafe." daxter complained, but Jak ignored him nd hopped on the lizard, chasing them down as promised.
"You really like messing with newcomers, eh?" I asked.
"Zoe! What the heck do ya think you're doin? You're supposed to be workin on the buggy." He snapped.
"So? I was watching the fight."
"Work first, play later. You finish the buggy, You get to leave. I want it done by nightfall. Got it?" He said.
"Fine." I groaned as I walked to the garage. At least he let me drive the cars in exchange for working on them. I kind of wished he never found out I was handy at being a mechanic. But Damas insisted I list all my skills to see what i was useful in. Besides fighting of course, but gunsmithing and fixing vehicles was what I was good at. Then Seem sensed my Dark Eco during combat, and then she decided to teach me about Precursor history. Not to mention training me with the Dark Eco. I sighed out loud, and put on my goggles as I entered the garage, ready to finish this thing.
It was nightfall when I finished the Buggy, I dusting off my clothes and deciding to go to the beach to clear my head. The entire time I thought about Jak. Why was he here? how did he get here? Was the people of Haven city finally sick of him and If so are they sick of me? Did the heroes of Haven city now were public enemies number 1? I shook my head as i passed Klevier.
"It's done. Now I'm going home." I spat.
"It better be pup. Or I'll wring you're neck." He growled.
"I would love to see you try." I waved as I left. The cool air hit my face as i headed down to the beach. At least it was cool at night. People were whispering as they were staring at something on the beach, I walking towards it. It was some sort of machine? Seem was there. I tried to turn, but it was too late.
"Zoe." She said.
"Ah Crap. Hi Seem. Nice weather huh?" I said nonchalantly as i wandered over. The Precursor Monks were strange and very attuned to the Eco and the world around them. They were decent enough to me. Not Mean, but not super friendly either. But that was most people here. Besides Kleiver and Damas. Ali at first was like that, but warmed up to me eventually.
"That was Risky. You could've hurt someone." She snapped, saying this quietly.
"I- I wanted to help him. His time in the desert must've drained him, i thought-"
"You Thought wrong. What is the first thing i told you when i decided to help you?"
"Do as you say and no dark eco powers outside the temple."
"Yes. Now what do you see here? "She points to the machine. As I was able to get a closer look, i saw more markings.
"It's... Precursor, but not." I muttered as I heard someone approach. Seem and the others were starting to do their thing.
"Check out these funny dudes heh heh. Nice threads." It was Daxter. Which meant Jak was there too. I turned and my heart leapt into my throat. I tried to prepare myself but i couldn't. Every time i saw him my knees went weak and my voice would tighten.
"Zoe!" Jak exclaimed as I jogged to him, hugging him tightly. He grunted in surprise and he hugged me back. I knew people were staring but i didn't care. He chuckled.
"I missed you too, Z." He said as He pulled back.
"You cut your Hair." I chuckled. What was that? The first thing I say to him in months is his hair? Stupid Zoe!
"So did you." He chuckles again. I then hugged Daxter, taking him off jak's shoulder.
"Whoa there Z, I'm gonna pop if you squeeze any harder." I laughed as I set him down, he climbing back up onto Jak's shoulder.
"Sorry Dax." I said sheepishly as I walked over to the monks.
"I didn't know Rubber was back in. What are you working on Monk boy?" Daxter asked Seem as we approached. Uh oh.
"It is none of your concern, animal." She continues with her thing.
"Look coloring book, we've had a hard week don't push it." Daxter said as he leaps down.
"The arena shows all dark one. Hate consumes your eyes." She says to Jak.
"Great. Thanks for the tip. But last time I checked I'm not the only one." He gestures toward me.
"Zoe... was born with the gift corrupted by evil. It will destroy you just as these Precursors destroyed themselves." She explained gesturing towards the satellite.
"Doesn't look like any of the precursor crap we've seen." Daxter adds.
"These Artifacts are an abomination. One fell on the great volcano. We sent and expedition to the mountain but my monks never returned. Ill tidings sing in the wind. I fear the remaking of the world is at hand." She says as she bows her head. I sighed.
"I think you've been out in the sun a little too long. Let's go Jak, Zoe." Daxter says as they both turn to leave.
"You must leave this place. Heroes think they can save the world when they themselves are lost. You could not possibly understand the dark forces at work here." Seem says as Jak stops and turns.
"Don't talk to us about Dark powers." jak says, pointing at Seem. "Zoe almost dies every time she tries to use her powers. I wanna know what this is." He says as I reach out to touch the satellite, at the same time he gestures to it, it reacting to both our Dark eco powers. Causing it to release a screen.
"Wasn't Me!" I said, walking to them. Seem was taken aback, jak clenching his fist.
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Stand back." He tells us as he walks to it.
"Hey i wouldn't- nevermind." I cross my arms. He begins to fiddle with it and a few minutes later the screen collapses and a purple light flashes. I walk to him, ignoring seems warning to not touch it. Jak grabs the crystal of eco and the screen appears again.
"Dark Eco." I muttered.
"You're impressed now aren't you?" Daxter asks.
"Those are solid Dark eco crystals. It has been passed down through time that they power the greatest of precursor technologies." Seem explains as the screen is now flashing symbols.
"Strange... this speaks an ancient dialect the earliest precursor forms... something about reclaiming this unfinished world." Seem says.
"Those look like coordinates." I say, looking at Seem's worried face, now worrying me.
"Like the ones from-" Jak agreed, but was interrupted by Seem.
"I'm picking up a very powerful signal." She says.
"I don't think we're gonna like this thing is yapping to." Daxter says as he backs up. I sensed it too. I pulled Seem behind me as the satellite came to life, launching itself into the air and flashing purple.
"Get down!" I yelled as I shielded Seem from the debris. Once it cleared i stepped away from her.
"Thank you. But even you cannot save us from this, heroes." She says.
"Hey, I'm the real hero here, you can call me Orange lightning."
"Oh not this again." I sighed.
"You may carry the color of creators, animal but we have plans to save ourselves. Stay out of our business you and orange lightning are not welcome here." She says, then turns to me.
"Zoe. Come." She orders.
"Zoe, you're not gonna go to the drink stand with us?" Jak asks.
"I- Sorry Jak, She needs my help. I'll meet you in the garage in the morning. Rain check?" I asked, hopeful.
"Yeah Z. Go do what you gotta do." He says as he turns. I then look at Seem.
"Your attachments will be your downfall, Zoe." She says as she lead me to the warp gate.
"I know." I mutter.