Jak felt his muscles were too slow. He wanted to run fast but he was going the best to his abilities. The young man kept pulling him. Jak realized they were in the fortress. The alarm blared around them as they made their way through the maze of halls.

Daxter was confused when he saw Colson carrying him and pulling Jak along behind. Just moments ago Colson was on different terms with him and now he was trying to rescue them. It was too strange. He wanted to know answers but all he could do now is hope they all made it out alive.

As they turned another corner gunshots rang out Daxter turned to see Jak falling to the ground.

"JAK!" Daxter could only scream

Colson, who was still holding on to him, was quickly pulled down and his attention was brought to Jak.

"Shit!" the young man cried

Daxter was released and he ran to his injured friend. Jak as breathing in raspy breaths trying to gasp for air that he could never keep. Blood stained his blue tunic and soaked in his white pants. Daxter knew the bullets were lodged in his right leg and torso. He probably had a punctured or collapsed lung because of his breathing.

Erol appeared pointing his pistol at the two outlaws. Colson stopped checking Jak and eyed the gun. Daxter stood loyally by Jak and gave Erol a death glare. Erol merely ignored it as a smile was clearly painted on his face.

"You made a big mistake. Jak doesn't leave here ever again," Erol snarled

"Over my dead body" Daxter growled real defensive, a tone that neither Colson nor barely conscious Jak ever heard before

Erol pointed a pistol at him, "It can be easily arranged"

Jak couldn't lay here helpless while Erol goes and kills Daxter and everyone else he cared. Daxter stuck out for him this far and Jak couldn't let that fail now. Whatever Daxter got himself into he couldn't let him die by the hands of his worst enemy.

Suddenly anger and pain became strong in him. He knew the feeling well and gave in to it's will. Jak refused to see Erol gain the upper hand and be in his hands again. He won't be used as a play toy for Erol as he was for two long years. Those days were over and now Erol will pay for it.

Whispers of the inner entity filled his ears as he felt darkness engulfing his very soul. He felt his form changing, power coming as the demon came into control.

Colson pulled back as his eyes widen by the transformation in front of him. Daxter was use to it but he saw the determination that filled his friend's eyes as his blue irises were being covered in black film. Daxter knew Erol was in for it now.

Erol stepped away from the beast that was emerging in front of him. He directed his pistol at Jak but was caught in surprise as he saw his transformation. As Jak was almost complete Erol regained himself and fired a number of rounds at the monster. But the bullets flickered off harmlessly as Jak stood up and turned to face his enemy.

Black murky eyes met Erol and a manic smile matched his. This is why Erol felt threatened by Jak. This is the very reason why he resented the Eco Freak.

It reflected himself.

The demon was pure evil. He wanted blood, pain, suffering and he's also crazy, just as Erol is. The demon didn't know what was right or wrong, all it wanted was to satisfy its revenge, blood and suffering. It was numb to all feeling but it's own. Just as the demon was in control, behind those black white-less eyes was Jak. The angry youth that hated Erol and Praxis even more. He was in firm control... as if the demon and he were one.

Erol fired again and again at the impending danger. The demon just smiled at his attempt. Dark Jak pulled out the bullets that were embedded his body and threw them at Erol's feet. Showing Erol he couldn't be harmed. Jak's breathing returned to normal as the wounds began healing supernaturally. Another manic smile to try to psyche Erol out.

Erol's face turned into hatred. He didn't like to be defeated like this. His weapons had no effect and he knew the monster could slash him to pieces this very second.

"You see. You're all alone. I can destroy you. I have the ability to. You lost the ability to destroy me as weapons remain useless," Dark Jak laughed

Daxter shivered. He never really did hear Dark Jak speak but when he just did it painfully reminded Daxter of Gol. He was the Dark Eco sage all those years ago and altered himself with Dark Eco, along with his sister Maia, together believing they could control the substance. That very amplified hum that sounded echoic and hollow lined Jak's voice

"Everyone has a weakness and so do you" Erol snarled not allowing Jak the luxury of him showing defeat

Dark Jak merely laughed, "You are wrong. I am all powerful. Not even the Baron can defeat me and you think you can?"

Erol growled, "I'll find your weakness and you'll beg me mercy"

"I'll kill you before that happens" Dark Jak spat

Erol knew he was loosing a word battle. Jak--or this monster-- didn't fear him. He didn't have power over him and Dark Jak knew it. Erol needed a plan...

Erol regained his cocky stance and smile.

"I guess we can't settle this at the races, so we'll settle this now" Erol challenged

"Sounds good to me" Dark Jak smirked raising his hand with super long nails.

Suddenly Krimzon Guards came out of nowhere. They started to shoot at Jak. Bullets flicked off him effortlessly. He was thankful he received the gift of invincibility off the Oracle. He growled and lunged at Erol. Erol jumped out of the way and ran off down the hall. Jak quickly turned and chased after the running man. Guards quickly followed Jak in pursuit.

The guards rushed passed as Colson and Daxter laid flat against the wall, trying to melt into it. After the guards left Daxter found himself letting out his held breath.

"What the hell was that?" Colson gasped

"What?"

"Jak. How did he do that?" Colson asked

"It's a side affect from being pumped with too much Dark Eco" Daxter said darkly

"So he's the monster that everyone is talking about?" Colson asked

"Yeap"

"Oh..."

"What are we going to do now?" Daxter wailed

"Go after him" Colson shrugged

"What? Are you crazy?! There are a ton of guards out there! We'll get caught!" Daxter almost shouted

"Come on! We can't leave him here. You didn't leave the organization and everything to leave him here. Even if he looks like he's on top of things..." Colson encouraged

"I guess, but you can go and face suicide danger!" Daxter sulked, "I'll be behind you... far behind you"

Colson just chuckled at his attempt, "You never change. Come on!"

Colson grabbed the little Ottsel and ran down the hall.

What a chicken. Dark Jak thought as he chased after Erol. Finally he lost his balls and is running away like a scared child. Finally I'll see his blood on my hands.

Finally he chased Erol to a large room. Screaming suddenly blared in his ears. Who's was it? It wasn't his and it certainly wasn't Erol's. Curiosity got the best of him when Jak saw a large gaping hole in the large room. He peered down it and saw something he never seen before.

There was light purple liquid swishing around in the large old but sturdy Precursor tub. What caught his eyes was a gruesome sight. Two skeletons floated around in the tub. Jak would have snorted at the sight if he didn't hear them screaming. They weren't just bone either, flesh hung off the bone as if it was off some kind of old horror movie. But this wasn't a movie… it was real.

Very real.

Dark Jak's mind was numbed to those sorts of sick sightings and couldn't care less. He was focused on Erol and his demise. Other killings, blood or any other horrific things that people seemed to faint or scream at didn't bother the monster. After all he lusts those sorts of things. But in the back of his mind when he returned to his normal state he would remember it forever.

Krimzon Guards appeared at the door and started to shoot at the monster. Dark Jak grew annoyed and turned to face them. Then unleashing his rage he slashed at the stationed guards. Guards ran away but were slashed down when Jak caught up with them. He turned to face Erol alone.

"Come on coward! Come and fight me!" Dark Jak shouted his voice in the amplified echo

"I'm over here Eco Freak" Erol spat

Dark Jak turned to see Erol on a platform that reached in from the side into the middle of the hole. Dark Jak approached Erol with utter glee in his face.

"Your a fool to be out on this platform. What ever this liquid does to you, you can easily fall into it" Dark Jak chuckled in his amplified hum

"Am I? Maybe it is you who is wrong. You are not all invincible" Erol gave a smile of arrogance

Dark Jak lunged for Erol. Erol moved out of the way. Dark Jak quickly turned and swiped his claw at him. Erol tried to move back but Jak's dark purple claws scraped his uniform. Inches from creating any wound. Displeased with his own attempt, Dark Jak slashed at him again and again. Erol managed to dodge each swipe.

Quick bastard, Jak thought as he went for another and another.

Erol ducked the last swipe and in one action he pulled out a large knife and slashed the demon. Dark Jak hissed as dark red-purple blood trickle down his torso. Dark Jak glared at Erol and raised his claws. Erol smiled victoriously and readied his knife.

Dark Jak seemed to forget that Erol was trained rigorously in combat and physical fighting whilst training in the military. Jak widened his narrow mind. He realized he couldn't concentrate on slashing Erol to death. He had to fight smart to match Erol's craftiness.

Jak slashed at Erol again. Erol dodged smoothly. Jak focused power to his hands and went to slash again. Erol, as predicted dodged it, but this time sparks of Dark Eco zapped out of his claws. Erol grunted as acute pain stabbed his chest. Jak bobbed down swept Erol's feet from under him. Erol fell and his back smacked against the cold hard metal platform.

With a gloating smile Dark Jak pounced on Erol. His supernatural claws punctured right through Erol's Krimson breastplate and into his flesh. Erol screamed as the pain of the attack and the Dark Eco that came with it. Dark Jak saw blood. Blood slowly oozing out those holes he had made. He lapped up the sight of the blood. Erol growled in hatred and anger. He jammed his knife, which he gripped on so tightly, right into Jak's stomach.

The demon hissed and shrieked in pain. Erol twisted the blade causing a sickening sticky noise. The monster screamed further.

"You maybe invincible Eco Freak, but you can still feel pain," Erol snarled

Those demon eyes that were screwed shut were forced open with hatred and anger. Dark Jak wrapped his hands around Erol's grip never taking his murky eyes off Erol's brown ones. He overcame Erol's strength and pulled the long sharp knife out of his stomach. Jak pulled back and got off Erol. His teeth gritted in pain and he desperately puffed to cope with the throbbing sharpness that stung his middle.

Erol struggled to his feet, ignoring the pain in his chest. He looked at the knife that was covered in the monster's blood. Jak's blood. He smiled as his eyes savoured the victorious moment. Dark Jak's wounds were beginning to heal abnormally fast but still weak from the last attack,. Kick'em while they're down. Erol thought nastily and dove at Jak. But he underestimated the power of the monster and Erol found himself meeting the business end of Jak's claws.

Jak wouldn't go down without a fight. He saw Erol dive at him, he raised his hands and stabbed both claws in both of Erol's shoulders, as he came at him with the knife. Erol screamed but Jak's defensive attempt didn't stop Erol embedding the knife in Jak's shoulder. Jak's strength faltered at the stab. Erol pulled himself off from the claws and collapsed back on the platform. Burning sting filled his shoulders.

"Curse you, you rabid Eco Freak!" Erol snarled as pain now filled his shoulders and chest

Dark Jak panted and grabbed the knife that was embedded into his left shoulder. Jak gritted his teeth and hissed as he pulled the knife from him. Dark Jak yanked the stubborn knife out and threw it over the platform. Erol growled as he saw the monster struggling to his feet.

Erol tried to rise but his shoulders burned in intense pain. Every breath hurt as the chest wounds he received still bled. He suddenly found himself in a vulnerable position as Dark Jak snarled at him.

"You lose" Jak stated and lunged at Erol.

Erol didn't know how he did it. Maybe it was instinct or determination or maybe he hated being vulnerable position. What ever the reason, Dark Jak pounced on him and Erol raised his arms ignoring the pain in his shoulders and one military move he flipped Jak over his lying body.

Dark Jak shrieked as his attempt was foiled. He saw himself going over Erol and over the platform. He was powerless to stop himself from falling and falling. For the first time in the demon's life it felt something that it never felt before.

Fear.

Dark Jak screamed as the light purple liquid rushed up to meet him and the last thing he knew was his name.

"JAAAAAAK!"

Colson and Daxter lost their way through the maze of halls. After a lot of complaints from Daxter and navigation from Colson they finally found dead bodies. Lots of dead Krimzon Guard bodies. Colson gasped as Daxter stared at them in amazement that all guards had four parallel slash marks all over their copses. It was scraped through their armour as if it was a hot knife through butter.

"Jak's been here" Daxter murmured

"This was him?" Colson gasped in more surprise

"Yeah. He usually invites me to the party" Daxter quipped trying to enlighten the heavy atmosphere

With Daxter at his shoulder Colson stepped his way through the bloodied bodies. Eerie silence filled the hall as Colson's well practice quiet steps stepped over the ghastly forms. Finally they reached an opened door. They stepped through and screaming met them. Daxter shivered, as he knew who they were.

"What's that?" Colson asked as he peered down the deep hole

"I don't know but it does that to you" Daxter pointed to the two figures at in the liquid

"So that's where the screaming is from..." Colson trailed then shivered

Daxter looked up and saw Jak and Erol on the platform above. His eyes widen as he saw Jak, Dark Jak, lunge at Erol. Erol was on the platform in defeat but to his surprise Erol flipped Jak as he came and Jak flew over the edge. Daxter choked as he saw his long time friend fall from the edge. He was screaming, maybe from fear or maybe from anger. He couldn't tell.

Oh Mar! Jak is going to die! I'll never see him ever again! I'll never going to be at his side to defeat the Baron ever again! Thoughts ran though Daxter as Jak approached the liquid. All he could do in his helpless state was scream.

"JAAAAAAK!"

The thick ooze enveloped the demon's body. No screaming, no pain. Just sucked in. Just like that.

"NOOOOOOO!" Daxter cried as his vision started blur

"Daxter!" Colson caught the little Ottsel as he ran forward, before he himself went into the liquid

"No. It can't be..." Daxter choked

Jak was gone. He was no more. His life ended just like that. Just like that. There was nothing Daxter could do but mourn. He couldn't even save Jak from his demise. He seen many people die; he'd seen the most bloodiest killings, even the most painful. He did care for those lives but he moved on. But this was different. Jak was his world. Once a upon a time it wasn't but in this world he was.

The only reason he survived it all was Jak. For Jak's sake he had to stick it out there. For Jak's sake he had to find him. For Jak's sake he had to rescue him from prison. It felt his purpose was robbed from him.

Now Jak was gone. It was like a black hole in his heart. Like a dark deep void that no one can fill but him. He and Jak been together through thick and thin and now it were thin. He knew Jak wouldn't and would never make it.

He found himself sobbing. He never cried. He was tough and his heart was cold to many things but Jak's death... he couldn't stop himself. He felt hands rubbing his back in comfort. He looked up and made out his old friend Colson in his water filled eyes.

"I'm sorry" he choked suddenly feeling embarrassed

"S'ok. I know just how you feel..." Colson murmured as the memories of his mother and father rose to his mind. he forced them back and focused on the crying animal.

He had won! No more Jak! No more Eco Freak! No more hope for the city! He couldn't contain his excitement, his utter glee of victory. He could imagine the happiness on the Baron's war wearied face. His enemy was no more. Erol suffered wounds and knew he'll have scars. Scars to prove he was the one to have killed the feared Eco monster.

He started to laugh. He didn't know why. He just laughed and laughed. He laughed in victory, in pain, in relief. A crazy laugh it was but a laugh none the less. Erol rolled over and tried to lift himself but he found burning pain in his shoulders and more in his chest. He ignored and numbed it with more laughing. He rose to his feet and now couldn't stop himself. He laughed harder and louder.

"I did it! I did it!" he shouted and gave a hoot between his laughs

He felt powerful again. He felt he was back in control. Nothing was in his way. Nothing was a threat of opposition. Jak is dead and he was alive. He had the power, he knew if he could beat the Eco Freak he could beat anything! He laughed more and more. More he laughed the more powerful he felt.

"No one can defeat me! Not even the gods themselves can strike me down!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, "I am all powerful!"

He continued laughing.

Colson looked at the maniac's behaviour. He blinked blankly at the commander while he just let out after wave after wave of manic laughter.

"I think someone gave him too much laughing gas" Colson quipped to no one in particular

"Bastard" came Daxter hate filled voice

How dare he laugh at Jak. How dare he gloats over Jak's death! The bastard will pay!

Finally the commander calmed down and turned to the two intruders in the room. He gave a manic smile.

"Your too late. Your friend Jak is dead. I defeated him! I defeated the most feared creature that roamed his city! The most dangerous and luckily... the most stupidest" Erol gloated

"Geez. One victory and your over both moons? Sheesh! You're such a sore winner. Do you always celebrate like this when you beat your opponents?" Colson slipped in causally making the insane situation more grounded

"Humph. You cannot begin to understand this victory I have achieved. Its more than just winning, its the survival of the fittest. Its Darren's theory... Evolution"

"It's Darwin's theory and if you're the next in line for Evolution I hate to see what people look like in the future" Colson snorted

"I have no time to put up with your pathetic insults. I have work to do and much to achieve, now I'm back in power" Erol gave a evil smile and started to head slowly to the door

Suddenly a gunshot smacked the silence and echoed in the large room. Erol's face was filled with shock and surprise as he turned to who ever made the sound. Colson looked to his arms to find an enraged Ottsel holding his gun. Daxter panted heavily as his shook with anger and rage.

The loud noise left deathly silence in its wake. The sound of Erol dropping to his knees then fell forward to the ground was the loudest noises of them all. Blood trickled away from Erol as Daxter lowed Colson's gun.

"I hate him," Daxter growled

"I know" Colson murmured

"He deserved to die"

"I know"

"Lets go" Daxter murmured and handed back Colson's gun

Colson gave a wry smile and slid it back in its holster.

"Yeah. Lets get out of here"

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