Author's notes: Thanks for reviews. Glad you're liking it so far despite earlier protests and mushiness. You've stuck it out this far! So I congratulate all readers who put up with me in this 'fic! You are brave! No seriously I congratulate you... its hard to survive mushiness!
This is a dark chapter... then again this is a dark story... bah! Not too gory though, maybe a little graphic.
"You don't know what you've got until its gone" Unknown (A line from a song)
Daxter was watching cartoons on TV. He laughed when one of the characters went black after being blown up.
"Daxter"
Daxter perked up at his name. He blinked working out if it was his imagination or not.
"Daxter, it's Keira"
The voice came again. But it was the computer's voice
"Keira?" he blinked puzzled, "You're a computer?"
"No. Just listen to me, I'll explain this later but you got to do this now" the voice came again
Daxter looked up to locate the P.A speaker, trying to figure out how Keira's doing all this.
"I need you to get to the Port quickly!"
"Why?" Daxter asked
"Jak is there. He's in danger"
"Like what?" Daxter frowned puzzled. Jak in danger?
"Look Daxter, I just need you to get down there! That son of a bitch Erol is going to be there!"
Daxter thought about it then blinked. Suddenly the thing that had been niggling at the back of his mind made sense. A flash back of the man bumping into them before they met Tess this morning came back. He remembered the man's face. He knew it was familiar but without the hair, tattoos and armour it was hard to tell who that person was. He had the brown eyes and bony face.
The man that bumped into Jak and knocked him over was Erol. But why? Why did he? What was the purpose? And just how did he cover up his tattoos?
"Already there!" Daxter jumped down and ran towards the exit
Jak walked through the Port. He needed to clear his head; he needed to readjust himself to these whole lots of experiences. He shoved his hands in his pockets and slouched as he walked past civilians. He tried to shake off the stares that bore into him. With every increasing step he was feeling more uncomfortable. People even started to stop and just stare at him accusingly or with fear. They all knew who he was.
Jak suddenly felt enclosed. People were alienating him just by stopping and staring. Jak couldn't ignore it anymore. He had to leave. He had to get out. He didn't understand why the people were doing this to him. What has he done? He's fighting for them for crying out loud!
He started to jog and then it quickly accelerated to run. He ran across the last bridge only to stop in front of a group of people. The group's attention was directed in the middle. Puzzled and curious Jak pushed himself towards the middle and saw a bloody sight before him.
A woman was sprawled on the ground, hacked and slashed by claws. The disfigured body lay in a pool of it's own deep crimson blood. She looked familiar. Another younger woman was over her crying. She was very distraught. She looked like a slummer. People just stared and watched her. There was nothing they could do, the woman refused to be comforted ages ago.
A bad feeling came over Jak as people turned to look at him. The snivelling young woman turned to look at him with hatred.
"Murder!" she hissed
Jak blinked and took a step back.
"You killed her!"
Jak's eyes went wide and took another step to try and get away from her accusing eyes.
"We trusted you! We thought you cared for this city but you only care for your own selfish desires. You gave us hope but fill us with despair" the girl's angry voice became choked in sobs
The crowd murmured in agreement. Jak glanced at the dead body. His mind clicked as he realized who it was.
It was Keira.
Jak jolted awake. He blinked and rubbed his eyes. What a dream! He realized he was still at the port. He rose to his feet. He felt wobbly and shaky and his mind felt foggy. He didn't know how he got to sleep or why he felt so awful. His knees buckled and he fell to the ground. He was puzzled in his lack of energy and found his movements were delayed.
Not only he failed everyone, he can't even handle himself. He must have drunk some sort of alcohol to feel this bad but he couldn't remember actually consuming it. Man he was a total reck.
Jak sighed and rubbed his eyes. The dream fresh in his mind, the woman's words rand clear in his head and Keira's mangled but betrayed face. He failed everyone, not just his friends but also the whole city. People put so much faith in him to overthrow the Baron only to be let down. He was killing the people who put so much faith in him... he did it to Tess, who else could suffer at his hands?
Then a horrible thought came to mind. Maybe he couldn't remember what happened to him that caused him to be so slow and groggy, because he was 'Dark Jak' again. He didn't remember attacking Tess and maybe this 'episode' was the same. Fear gripped his heart. He was really loosing control. He could have attacked someone and they are lying injured or dead in a dead end ally. Or even worse he could of killed Keira like he did in the dream! How can he help a city when he couldn't help or control himself?
He wanted to scramble to a dark corner and hide. He felt ashamed and afraid. He was afraid of the consequences of his uncontrolled actions. He lost Daxter that way and he lost everyone else that way too. His legs were too slow to obey and his travel to a corner didn't last.
So he sat there instead, alone and broken. He had no one any more. He hoped Ashelin at least kept to her actions but all along she was just using him. Used him to get back at Keira. Now Keira hated him, Daxter had no faith in him, Tess was scared of him, Torn was mad at him, his dark side was running around when supposably he was sleeping and everyone else was either secretly mad or angry with him.
He lost control of his life. He felt used and emotionally abused but the events that he had no control over. He wept softly as his heart ached. If felt it was torn apart and been placed into a meat grinder a few times. Faces of his own adopted family haunted him. They were filled with disappointment, sadness and anger. They all hated him. He didn't blame them. He did hurt people and if he was in their shoes he would mad at him as well.
The world would be better without him. Keira would be happier, Daxter wouldn't have to worry about 'Dark Jak', Tess wouldn't live in fear, Torn would certainly be happy and Ashelin wouldn't really care. She had her way with him. He wouldn't have this burden of controlling his dark side. The city will be safe and he didn't have to deal with the consequences anymore. He was sick of carrying this burden... all this had to stop.
He pulled out his morph gun and switched it to Blaster mode. He looked at deciding on how to make his passing quicker. He decided a bullet to the head should do it. Everyone would be happier that they didn't have to clean his mess.
Keira watched in horror that the man she thought she knew sat slouched in defeat. How could this happen? Keira thought.
She saw Jak slowly pointing his long gun towards himself and set the barrel to his temple.
"Oh God" she gasped as hot tears swelled
She was trapped in here while Jak was going to kill himself! Jak was stronger than this! He was! She knew he was! She realized the burden he'd been carrying was great. He had been prison for two years; he has a dark side to control and a revenge to complete. His depression was probably right from the very start of this entire ordeal. It must have killed him when he felt all his friends--no family--were gone and that she'd betrayed him for Erol. He must of felt guilty for betraying her and found out he was 'loosing control' of his dark side.
How could I be so careless? I attacked Jak emotionally and made him feel like shit!
Now it came to this. She felt helpless. She wanted to tell him she forgave him, he wasn't alone and it wasn't his fault. But all she could do was watch the events unfold.
"Come on Daxter!" she urged, "Save him"
Erol approached his rival. He was right where he wanted him. On the ground crying and a broken man. All he had to do was press the right buttons at the right sequence. He smiled as his plan worked. All this planing, all his hard work and scheming was paying off. He was here to collect his final prize.
"Pathetic" he spat when he was right beside Jak, "I leave you alone and you're here about to kill your self"
Jak looked up and glared at Erol.
"You're using Keira" he stated his voice dry and croaky
Erol gloated "No Jak. She loves me. She even rooted me right up on that tower there," he pointed to one of the towers in the Port, "She's good too. I love her. More than you ever will"
Jak growled, "How the hell would you know?"
"Well doesn't actions speak louder than words? If you really loved Keira you'll never slept with Ashelin"
"I was drunk"
"Alcohol lowers the higher brain functions. You were acting on instinct and feelings" Erol lied, "You can't deny you had it good"
"Screw you!" Jak snarled
Erol laughed, "You amuse me Jak"
"Piss off"
"What can't die in front of me?"
Jak went quiet. He knew Erol was here to taunt him like the demons do before someone died.
"Or you want me to turn around?" Erol laughed
"Just piss off" Jak said angrily but tiredly
"I got a better idea. Why don't I help you?"
"Help me?" Jak frowned
"To die" Erol added
"I can do it myself," Jak growled as he replaced the gun at his head
"Fine have it your way" Erol sinisterly, "You're head will be my trophy"
To Jak's surprise Erol pulled out a long blade. He swung it in a horizontal arc, which aimed to slice his neck. The attack was too close to dodge in time and Jak in that moment was surprised and caught off guard. Adding his movements were slowed by what ever was affecting him, he had no chance to escape.
He was staring death in the face.
Suddenly the blade diverted its attack upwards. Jak flinched and managed to duck as the blade swung over his head. He turned to see Erol being knocked over by a Zoomerbike. He saw Daxter was the driver and he stopped as soon as Erol was knocked to the ground.
"Daxter?" surprise was evident in his hoarse voice
"Come on buddy! We're getting out of here!" Daxter waved Jak over
Jak scrambled to his feet but his legs kicked uselessly under him. Jak struggled towards Daxter driving all his power and energy to the only means of hope and salvation. Jak managed to rise to his feet and stagger a few steps towards Daxter. Erol rose to his feet, his voice cackled in laugher.
"Try as much as you want Jak, but you never will escape from me!" Erol's features cracked into a smile
Jak looked at him before falling back on the ground as his muscles failed to comply with the upright position.
"Come on Jak!" Daxter urged
Erol walked confidently up to Jak with his ancient blade in hand.
"Escape is futile" Erol sneered, "Pathetic"
Jak stopped realizing he was wasting his energy. He looked up Erol with his movement's delayed.
"What's happening to me?" Jak slurred, and mentally surprised by his voice. What did I drink?
"Your downfall" Erol smiled as he raised his blade, "I injected a drug into you to slow your movements. I knew you would try to escape after your meeting with Ashelin. Now you're mine"
Anger flashed in Jak. It was like a new sense of life that was left behind destruction. He was at the mercy of Erol and by the looks of it he was going to be sliced. Erol couldn't have the satisfaction of his death; he couldn't let this bastard get him. Jak thought he may deserve death but not by the hands of Erol.
Jak growled and jumped to stop Erol's blade swinging down upon him. He held Erol's fist and in his delayed movements managed to knee Erol in the gut. Erol backed off as Jak's legs failed him again. Jak groaned as his backside hit the concrete. There was no way he could fight Erol if he couldn't stand properly.
Erol recovered and sneered. Jak grabbed his gun and pointed it. But the time his limbs obeyed his commands Erol was upon him and whacked the weapon away. Jak growled at Erol's smile of triumph.
"Try all you want but I'm more faster than you" Erol chuckled
Daxter couldn't watch Jak die, especially at the hands of Erol. He knew Jak was drugged. Erol couldn't face Jak like a man. Instead he fought dirty and now came out with a sword to try and behead Jak! Erol is sick. Sick and cunning! Daxter couldn't sit here any longer. He was here to save Jak's butt and that's what he intended to do. He was no match for Erol but he knew someone who is.
"Jak! Jak! Use 'Dark Jak'!" Daxter yelled
Jak shook his head. I can't. I'll loose control; I'll kill everyone, even you Daxter. Erol laughed at Jak's fearful headshake. He raised his broad sword again.
"Jak! Come on! You have to do it! Please!" Daxter tried to convince him
"I...I can't!" Jak said hoarsely
Daxter knew his fear but he also knew the urgency to save his life.
"Damm it Jak! Don't let Erol get what he wants!" Daxter growled
Jak was torn between his fear and not satisfying Erol. His dark side could potentially kill everyone if he had no control. Even if was to die by the hands of Erol at least everyone else was alive. Daxter saw him making no move. Like it or not Daxter was going to have to save his butt himself.
Daxter leapt from his Zoomerbike and landed on Erol's head. Daxter put his hands over Erol's eyes to distract him. Erol growled at Daxter attempt and reach a hand to grab the Ottsel. But the rodent was too quick and ran away from Erol's open palm.
Daxter dashed all over Erol's body, his hands clawing onto the fabric and he ran at a fast speed. Erol stepped back as his arms were outstretched to balance. Then with his free and he tried to grab the annoying orange fur ball. Cursing and snapping in anger at the annoying rat.
Jak just watched as his loyal friend ran around the man's body distracting him as long as possible. Jak suddenly realized that Daxter still cared. He was here distracting him, risking his life so Jak may have a chance to escape. Jak suddenly broke from his piddle party. Does Daxter understand me?
Erol finally caught the rodent that has been distracting him. He grabbed it by the rough of his neck and Daxter gave a nervous grin when he came face to face with Erol.
"Nice try rat!" Erol sneered, "Since you're so eager to die..."
Erol lifted his medium length sword and pressed it to Daxter's scrawny throat. Erol turned to Jak, as a smile passed on his lips. Erol knew Jak couldn't do anything. If he did he was too afraid or too slow. What better way to hurt Jak more than to get rid of his beloved pet?
"Say goodbye to your rat" Erol spat as the blade came across to potentially slice Daxter's windpipe
"Jaaak!"
Jak's eyebrows narrowed. He couldn't let him. It was one thing to be killed by Erol but another if he killed one of his friends. Anger surged through him as he felt the tingly sensation come on. He didn't care if was to go psycho. The whole city can go to hell! He couldn't let Daxter die. The Ottsel has so much to live for and so much to gain. Daxter had hope... something Jak was starved of since he was in prison.
Erol concentrated on killing the animal that he didn't see the turn of events. He only saw a purple-clawed hand grab the blade. The hand pulled the blade away, the grip on the blade drew blood but the owner didn't care. Erol's eyes went wide as he saw what was before him.
"Am I welcomed to the party?" the demon's voice echoed in its altered echoic hum
"Jak!" Daxter's voice was in relief
Erol growled and held the rodent tighter. He held Daxter in front of him to act as some kind to shield. Dark Jak just grinned as his attempt. Daxter hopped bringing out 'Dark Jak' was the right thing.
Jak moved past Daxter and gripped the outstretched arm that held him. He dug his claws into the flesh, never taking his black eyes off Erol. Erol screeched in pain and let of Daxter. Daxter fell unceremoniously on the ground. Erol regained himself and punched the monster's face. Jak's face turned away before snapping back, his eyes blazing with new anger.
Jak slashed Erol across the face with his left hand then kneed the Erol. Erol was surprised that his movements were back to normal. They weren't delayed or slowed anymore. As Erol fell to his knees winded as his arm burned at the pull. Dark Jak was still holding onto his arm with his claws and his pull but going down made the claws rip through more flesh.
The commander was suddenly afraid. The tables were turned; he was now at the monster's mercy instead of Jak being at his mercy. Erol was so sure Jak would be so afraid to turn into his demon self. He was so sure the drug he'd secretly tranquillised him with was going to slow his movement. He was vulnerable. Kneeling before me, completely at my mercy! Then his pet showed up! How did this rodent know?
His thoughts were interrupted but Dark Jak's tug upwards. He brought his enemy to his feet then stabbed him with his left claw. Erol made a gagging sound. Dark Jak smiled at the man's suffering. He was getting satisfied. Erol growled and brought his free right hand again to Jak's face. As Jak recovered and his head snapped back Erol head butted the monster. Jak stumbled back dazed. Erol painfully pulled the claws from his stomach and his arms while the monster was confused. After Erol freed himself Jak regained himself and growled.
Jak charged at him. Erol swiftly dodged it. Jak swung at him again and Erol dodged him. Dark Jak grew angry at the evasive man.
"Fight me!" Dark Jak hissed
Another dive from Erol and Erol grabbed his fallen sword. Glad he actually brought the blade he rose to his full hight as a challenge to the purple creature. He flipped the broad sword expertly in his hand beside him. Jak snarled as acceptance to the challenge.
So the fight began.
Erol charged at Jak thrusting his blade at Jak. Jak sidestepped him so Erol thrust his sword again. It turned out with the same results. Erol swung the sword horizontally to try to split the monster in half. Jak avoided the attacks again.
"Why don't you fight me?" Erol sneered back to Jak's earlier outburst
Erol swung his blade diagonally in an X shape to make getting through impossible. He slowly stepped forwards and forcing Jak to move back. Jak saw that he was being pushed back against the water's edge. Sure Jak could swim but he didn't want to end up in the water. Erol is a sneaky slime ball; he could have something up his sleeve.
To the surprise of the commander Jak jumped and flipped over the man. As Jak landed he turned with his arms outstretched. His hands spread out his claws acted like ten small but deadly knives. He completed his turn and created a slash that ran a little diagonally but horizontally behind his back. Erol screeched and his back arched as a reaction to the burning pain. As soon as Jak completed his turn he faced Erol's back. With his claws by his sides he rammed them into Erol's back.
Erol's screech turned to a scream as new burning pain exploded deep into his back. Jak let Dark Eco come freely down his arms and into Erol's body. The Dark Eco was pumped into the soft tender muscles and made Erol gasp in pain. Jak lent closer to Erol's ear as Erol fell to his knees.
"You thought you had me all figured out" Jak whispered sardonically. His quiet voice was echoic and hurtful to the man's ears, "Pathetic"
Hate, rage and determination circled into one. Erol didn't do all this planing, only to see it backfire. No. He was going to get what he came for. Even if he died on this very day, he at least got to bathe in satisfaction of this sadistic monster's death.
Erol hopped his next attack would work. He knew that 'Dark Jak' was invincible to gunfire and physical attack but he still felt pain. His screaming died down to ragged gasps; Erol discreetly flipped his blade over towards himself. He pushed the blade towards his body. The bronze blade slid by Erol's side and embedded itself right in Jak's stomach.
It was Dark Jak's turn to screech and hiss. He pulled his claws out of Erol's back to grab and pull the sword out of his own flesh. Released, Erol was on all fours, breathing heavy to cope with the pain. Anger still pumped through his veins and on sheer will, he ignored the pain burning his back and turned to face the monster. Jak was slowly pulling the blade out, the friction between the metal and muscle took every ounce of strength he had to bypass it. Where the blade left the muscle the tissue started to knit itself back together. The hole in his back, where the point had passed, was already sealed.
Erol saw Jak's pain and determination to get the foreign object out. Erol allowed himself a smile before slamming into him. Before slamming into Jak, Erol grabbed the sword's hilt and with his body force he drove the blade back into its original position. It slid all the way until hilt met skin.
Dark Jak screamed as new pain remerged in the same places. Dark Jak opened his murky eyes to see Erol grinning manically.
"You're a fool. Don't you get it? You'll never win against me! I will always be the victor, one-way or another Jak, I will leave a scar where the wounds use to be. Every time you look at that scar you'll be reminded of me and how I've gladly inflicted pain on you!"
Erol stared into his black eyes and smiled. Dark Jak frowned at Erol's expression.
"That's right Jak. I planned all this in the beginning. All the events that led to your downfall was my doing! I watched you suffer and now I will watch you die!"
Jak growled as he ground his teeth, "Your more insane than I thought"
"Not insane. Just passionate"
"Passionate? On what?"
"Your suffering. Your death" Erol's tone was low
Dark Jak grew real mad and swiped Erol's face. Erol recoiled back. Jak found new strength as anger and rage corse through his altered body. He gripped the hilt and pulled the broad sword out in three tugs. His flesh began to rapidly heal due to the Oracle's gift of invincibility. Erol looked up only to see Jak holding his only means of obtaining his ultimate prize.
Dark Jak smiled sardonically before turning and throwing the sword far into the Port water. Erol clenched his fists and grind his teeth in anger. His chance was gone.
"You're the fool Erol. You think you can defeat me? I have news for that puny brain of yours" Jak jeered, "I am more powerful than you'll ever be and you can't face that very fact. You may have manipulated everyone you meet in some form but not me. You'll never fool me because I know how you operate. I have the same sick insanity like you but with one difference... I have a heart"
Erol snorted, "So? Is that it? You're a mad man with a heart?"
"Unlike you" As Dark Jak spoke, he realized what he had, "You search for things that you lost. Love, truth, trust, life, faith and hope but instead you find pain, hate, lust, betrayal, uncertainty. You did that to me in the past few days. You took what mattered to me and crushed it between you're fingers like paper" Dark Jak grew visibly angry, "You took away the very thing that keeps me going, only because you have nothing!"
"Your wrong! You think I look for hope, trust and love? Ha! You must understand, Jak, I have nothing. I lost it long ago and the only thing I have to live for now is the pain and suffering in your eyes. Your sweet blue eyes that held so much innocence. When you were tortured they were filled with pain, confusion and sadness. That gave me satisfaction that I was craving in other people I have inflicted pain on. No one was that innocent as you were." the he added with a shrug, "What can I say? I'm a sadist"
"No, your one sick son of a bitch!" Dark Jak growled
"And you're not?"
"At least I'm not hell-bent on someone's suffering!" Dark Jak justified, "I kill those who oppose, I slash those who get in my way of my revenge on the Baron! Seriously, you need to get a life"
Erol smiled and chuckled, "My life died long ago"
With that Erol tackled Jak to the ground. Dark Jak raised his arms to stop the man from his attack progressing further. Erol punched and kicked at Jak while narrowly missing deadly slashes. Jak was surprised to how strong this skinny man was. Neither the less they both were on the ground rolling around, trying to gain the upper hand over each other, using physical violence.
Eventually Erol managed to tangle his fingers around Jak's throat. The demon struggled against the man, pulling him off. Jak was stronger and was succeeding to ease the pressure clamped around his throat. But all of a sudden Jak's strength disappeared. He felt his body change and right before Erol's eyes the monster left, leaving the man he vowed to kill in his place.
How convenient. Dark Eco runs out when I need it the most! Jak thought scornfully then insanely joked, I've really got to talk to the Oracle into giving me a never ending supply of Dark Eco...
Jak realised this and his throat was once again closed off. Jak tried to force the pressure away but he had no success. He chocked as his lungs burned for precious oxygen. Erol's face was twisted in determination and hate. He didn't care if Jak didn't die by his head being severed. He now just wanted the man dead. He wanted the man to suffer and die! He wanted him to beg and plea for mercy like he did the first few days of prison.
Jak's vision went fuzzy and started to go grey. His legs kicked and stamped uselessly as his body struggled against the force that denied him from air. Erol started to feel the man's grip loosen. He could feel the coldness creep on the body from under him. Erol smiled, as he knew Jak was dying. Jak's eyes stared at him with wide and pleading eyes before turning into hatred and accusing.
Jak wanted live. His denial earlier... forgotten, because he found something to live for. Because he realized that he has what Erol didn't have and that in itself was something to live for. Now it was going. He realized too late and now he's paying the price.
To be continued...
Sorry folks you have to leave you there on the cliff. I know I'm cruel but I have to leave the conclusion to the next and final chapter. Will Jak make it out alive? Will Erol ever get his 'prize'? Will everyone forgive Jak and be one big happy family? One way to find out and that's reading the next chapter... when it comes!
Please review! I would like to know what are you're thoughts on this. You love it or you hate it.