Jak II
ACT 1: A City Under Siege
Chapter 6: The Scientist, the General, and The Child

The first few months with the child I named Jak were some of the most extraordinary moments I have ever experienced. I've lived alone for quite some time now, so it was a very strange feeling to have someone else walking in my hut. The child was full of boundless energy and can never seem to stop smiling. In time, after paying close attention, I discovered what he liked to do, what his favorite food was, what his favorite books and stories were, his favorite locations, among others. He was silent throughout the few months, so it was quite an amazement that I manage to know this much about him when he never uttered a word. I asked Samos why he never spoke and he never could give me an answer.
"He has spoken before." Samos told me, "Maybe he forgot?"
Forgot? How can one forget how to speak?
"I'm sure in due time he'll say something." Samos mumbled, "Give it time."
So, I did…then one night, as I sat on my chair and read my textbooks as per usual, Jak came up to me.
He stared at me (I stared back), then he spoke for the first time to me…
"Someone close to you is going to die."
I just sat there for a good few minutes, analyzing what he meant by those words. Jak just kept staring at me with that concerned face. Not only did he speak to me for the first time, his words struck an arrow in my heart. No child his age would ever speak words like that. And his first words spoken to me is the subject of death? How depressing. I decided to question him, just to be clear.

"What do you…mean someone close to me will die?"
"…You'll know in three days."
"How? Who told you this?"
"…The precursors."
"The…The precursors?"

He proceeded to nodding.

"No longer in this world…the last remaining Precursors remain in Precursor eggs, waiting for their descendents to awaken them, so they can reach the Promised Land. Many have reached it during this planet's life."
"The…The Promised Land?"
"Promised Land…The Land of Golden Hopes…Heaven…it goes my many names. We go there when we die, if we are of pure hearts and has done good."
"…And if we did badly?"
"…You go to the World of darkness…the land of hatred and fire…and you can never get out. You will be tortured there forever."
"So I've heard."
"Someone you love dearly will be gone…she will enter the gates of the Promised Land."
"…Who?"
"You'll see."

Then Jak got off the chair he sat on across from me, and was ready to leave, but not without saying another word,

"If you need someone to cry with…I'll be here."

Then he left.
And in three days, someone close to me did die…my mother. I kept in contact with her often and made sure to visit every chance I got. My father walked out on me as a child, so my hardworking mother supported me every step of the way to get me this far. And now, with her dead, I did, indeed cry…and Jak indeed was here in my time of need. He did not say anything…just two words…

"I'm sorry."

………………………

Tram, Haven City
Month 5: Mair, Day 18 (Spring Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)

"TURN LEFT!" Puar shouted, giving off the location to the Power Station.
"Puar, don't shout." Jak groaned, "I'm right here."
"I am sorry, Master Jak!" Puar sniffled, "Puar will be quieter. TURN RIGHT!"
Jak growled in frustration as he slapped his face with his hand. Daxter, used to loudmouth people (like himself), found this more amusing them annoying. Though even he was annoyed constantly with the little COMP. The three were atop a light blue zoomer Jak found parked on a wall, using it to get to wherever it is they needed to go. The sky started to turn a darker blue as evening came.
"We are almost there, Master Jak!" Puar giggled.
"Wait a sec, how come you always call him "Master" Jak, but you never call me "Master" Daxter?" Daxter cried out.
"Hush!" Jak placed his index finger to his lips, "This entire place is crowded, no matter how fast we're going!"
"Sorry." Daxter scoffed softly, "Well?"
"Master Torn said to work for Master Jak, not Daxter." Puar answered.
"Oh, right." Daxter sarcastically spoke, "Geez, these stupid computer thingies."
"Puar heard that and Puar is upset!" Puar started to cry, well, cry as much as a COMP could, "Daxter is MEAN!" Then the bawling came.
"Oh…bloody hell!" Jak once again slapped his face with his hand, "Puar, Daxter didn't mean it, he's a bit ignorant sometimes."
"Really?" Puar sniffled.
Jak eyed Daxter.
"Really." Jak frowned, "Now, are we there yet?"
"Oh, yes, just up that ramp, Master Jak." Puar answered, "And into that door!"
And the trio moved onwards.
"So, I wonder how energetic this old guy is to be part of the Underground?" Daxter asked, "I mean, he's this really, really OLD dude, yet he's active enough to help the Underground, I mean, seriously, how old IS that guy!"
And this went on throughout the power station.
"….the fact that he's old, it's just….it's just…well, something I can't believe! I bet he's older then your uncle, too! I mean, he was old, but this Vin guy sounds MUCH older…" Daxter stopped talking when they were inside.
"Where's the Warp Gate?" The little ottsel searched.
"Well, I may be making a guess, but I'm gonna assume it's that oval shaped wavy thing over there." Jak pointed to the oval shaped wavy thing, acknowledging what little city knowledge he possessed.
"Yep! That's a warp gate!" Daxter snickered, "Come on, big boy. Let's get this over with." Jak came closer to the warp gate and slowly moved his hand near the wavy entrance.
"So…we just go in it?" Jak asked.
"That's the idea." Daxter explained, "Don't worry; it won't hurt ya or anything. Just pretend it's a warp fueled by magic."
"But it's not fueled by magic?" Jak asked. Daxter shook his head, "Isn't that something."
With much hesitation, Jak slowly sighed and stuck his body inside.

Upon entering, they saw themselves in a very sandy area. There were barely any grasses around and the entire Strip Mine was surrounded by heavy machineries, ranging from cranes to giant crates to housings for the workers.
"Wow, busy place." Daxter gasped, "Wonder where Vin could be." Jak was busy looking at his surroundings, but trying to see the top views wasn't easy with the giant hills blocking his way. That was solved with logic as Jak climbed on top of one of the hills. The rocks and small cliffs made it easy for Jak to climb while Daxter struggled to hang onto his shoulder. Puar merely hovered her way up.
Once on top, Jak placed a hand over his forehead to block out the sun's light and stared heavily around the surroundings. He eyed a small compartment.
"There…maybe Vin's in there." Jak pointed.
"What?" Daxter cried out, as he climbed on Jak's shoulder, "Jak, there's several different houses here, how do you know that one houses Vin?"
"Well, Daxter, unless you're blind, the Metal Heads are grouping all over that door on that compartment." Jak sighed, explaining in a sarcastic manner. Daxter eyed the groups of Metal Heads all crowded around the door.
"Let's roll." Jak jumped off the hill and ran down it.
The rundown to the Metal Heads filled Jak with adrenaline, Puar with excitement, Daxter with fear.
"Jak, are you sure we should be rushing into this so quickly?" Daxter shouted, clutching onto Jak's shoulder, "Shouldn't we devise a plan first?"
Jak didn't bother to listen and instead whipped out the Scatter Gun and started to blast his opponents. Obviously sensing the danger, the Metal Heads retaliated with their giant claws. The ones that flew had the ability to shoot our dark orbs that could burn the furs off of an animal from afar.
"JAK!" Daxter cried out. Jak kept fighting, however. A Metal Head came in from the right and Jak manage to shoot it before it could lunge at him. Another to the front, where Jak shot it again. A repeated process, but all the shootings he did didn't do him justice when he ran out of bullets.
"WE'RE DOOMED!" Daxter screamed.
More Metal Heads lunged at the trio. One nearly aimed for Jak, but Puar tackled it down.
"Not bad for Puar!" Puar cried out triumphantly.
"That's it." Jak gasped when he noticed what Puar did. His gun may be useless for shooting, but not for physical fighting. So, when a Metal Head grew near, he used his gun as a staff to wield them off, and then would finish them off with his physical fighting skills. A good many ran away from fright after a while, the rest fell by Jak and Puar's attacks. Daxter had his eyes covered the whole time. He opened them when he saw nothing was left. He leaped off Jak's shoulder with a huge grin.
"Alright! We showed them!" Daxter laughed heavily.
"Yea" Jak sarcastically came to. He then saw the door and went towards it. A big red button was located next to it. Putting two and two together, Jak pressed it and the door slowly opened.
Jak was on one side, Daxter on the other of the door as they sneaked a peek to what was inside. They didn't get a whole lot to see yet as gun shoots came charging in their directions and a shrill voice.
"Aaagghh! Stay back!"
An old man was shooting at Jak and Daxter in a frantic manner, not caring where he aimed, as long as they were gone.
"Do something, Jak! This guy's crazy!" Daxter shouted.
"Hey, are you Vin?" Jak cried out, the gun shoots blocking out his voice, "We're here to help. Torn sent us."
"Stay back!" The old man continued shooting, while leaping constantly in random order in the small computer room he was in.
"Look, if we were here to kill you, you wouldn't be talking right now!" Jak shouted, his words finally calming the old man.
"Oh, friendlies? Oh thank goodness!" The old man sighed, then he eyed the three staring back at him with mixed feelings, "We... so... whe... where's the army?"
"Sorry, we're the only ones." Puar answered.
"What? Just you three!" The old man, Vin, thought for a few seconds, his gun rattling over his head as he place his hand on his head in a thinking motion, "What do they think I'm worth!" Vin placed his head down on the nearest computer.
"I'm beginning to wonder that myself!" Jak placed a hand on his chin, "If you want, you can stay here and be Metal meat, but Daxter, Puar, and I are leaving before those monsters get back." The mere mention of the Metal Heads was enough to motivate the shaky mining operative. Still holding the gun with his shaky hands, Vin's face veered left and right as he looked around his surroundings for more Metal Heads.
"There's the Warp Gate out, Jak." Daxter pointed. Daxter ran in first with a "yeehaw!" Puar dived in second with a "whee", then Jak. Last was Vin, who was walking backwards, face in sweats, gun pointing in all directions. He bumped into the Warp Gate as a result and let out a sounding scream.

"AHHHHHH!"

………………

Once inside the Power Station, the trio watched as Vin took his time to catch his breath.
"Whew…that's better." Vin sighed, then he eyed the many computers inhabiting the entire station and gasped, "Oh, dear." He started to type, press buttons, pull levers, and whatever little doo-dads that he could find to do whatever he had to do. The trio just watched, waiting for Vin to say something to them. It took a while before Vin realized the trio who saved his life was still in the same room he was.
"Oh…I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." Vin gasped, "And you guys are…?"
"I'm Jak and this is my friend, Daxter." Jak introduced, "I think you know Puar from Torn, I suppose."
"Yep, yep, Puar remembers Master Vin!" Puar chirped happily.
"Oh, he's also a "master?" Daxter quietly mumbled, arms crossed and eyes half closed.
"Oh, Jak, I heard about you…and Daxter, the talking ottsel." Vin smiled, "Hey, I want to thank you guys for saving my butt out there at the Strip Mine." Vin smiled nervously
"And we'd like to thank you for being such a bad shot." Daxter came in, relived that he could talk.
"Ah yeah, sorry about that guys. Ah, I'm just a bit jumpy these days." Vin smiled again, nervously, as he stared at the trio, hands typing on the computer. A skill he developed years ago.
"Jumpy? We haven't noticed." Daxter grinned, then he pointed, "Aaah! A Metal Head behind you!"
"AAH! Whatha!... Whatha!... Wha!... Whhoooo.. Oohh...!" Searching for his surroundings, Vin saw no Metal Heads. He collapsed to his behind in fear and panic.
"Just kidding... nice reaction time though." Daxter pointed to Vin, walking pass him.
An embarrassed Vin quickly rose up with a mad blush on his face, as well as anger.
"Not funny!" Vin hissed, Jak laughing softly, covering his mouth with one of his hands.
"Daxter, that's enough torture for Vin." Jak told Daxter off, still chuckling.
"So, what's your story?" Daxter came over to Vin.
"Yea, I heard you were the minister of science." Jak came to, "How on Precursia did you end up in a strip mine? Then again, I'm not quite sure what the bloody hell a strip mine is."
At once, Vin raised an index finger and started talking:
"The Strip Mine is just what it is, a mine. For many years, the people of Haven City relied heavily on the use of Eco to power their cities and supplies. While the use of blue, red, green, and yellow ecos are frequently used throughout, the Dark Eco is the most common and plentiful and is used the most to power this entire city. The Strip Mine is one of the best locations to dig up for the precious Dark Ecos for their beneficial use.
The entire place is located in a remote area, rather, an island, so the only way in is the warp gate located in the Power Station, or a boat which most workers take. The work can be extremely difficult due to Metal Head attacks (such as the one I was involved in until you guys came), especially since they, too crave the Dark Ecos."
"Thank you for the information, useless encyclopedia." Jak sighed, "Maybe I shouldn't have asked."
"Well, it's a useless job in my opinion." Vin mumbled, "Granted, it keeps the Metal Heads at bay, but it's only a matter of time before the city's eco runs out."
"I think what's more important is why there's a connection between Dark Eco and the Metal Heads." Jak suggested.
"Those Metal Heads have been attacking our mining operations and we're running out of eco." Vin panicky repeated, "Eco power keeps the city shield walls up, and if the shield drops... well, we can all kiss our butts goodbye!"
"The question is why." Jak came again, "What is up with the Dark Eco? Why do the Metal Heads want it? Why do they desire it so much?"
"Dark Eco is the Metal Heads' primary source of food and energy." Vin came in, "They need to eat it…or drink it…or however they eat Dark Eco, in order to survive. From what has been said, the Metal Heads gather dark ecos not only for themselves, but for their leader, who needs enough to regain its full power. They can sense a lot of magical and supernatural forces from the dark ecos they consume, including precursors."
"What happens when the leader regains its full power?" Jak asked again.
"He could be powerful enough to destroy the City Walls and kill us ALL!" Vin gasped, clutching his cheeks, "No matter how powerful the city walls can hold, if the Metal Head Leader ever regains its true form, we're all doomed! DOOMED!" Then he quickly snatched Jak's arm and started to shake him.
"You've got to keep the shield walls up until the Shadow figures out what to do." Vin cried out.
"Just who is this Shadow guy anyway?" Daxter cried out.
"Sorry, I can't say." Vin shakily answered, "My lips are zipped." Daxter sighed, then climbed on one of the control panels.
"Be careful to not touch anything." Vin warned.
"Yea, yea." Daxter waved a hand and continued his staring into one of the glowing icons on a screen.
"Metal Heads are mainly attracted to this city the most due to our use of Dark Eco." Vin continued, "They can smell it from here, that's why they're attacking us."
"That's all?" Jak gasped.
"No, not really." Vin shook his head, "Rumors sprout that the Metal Heads are after an important item, an item called…the Precursor Stone."
"….The precursor Stone?" Jak asked, puzzled.
"Yes, old textbooks speak of precursors living in these stones until someone with special powers can awaken them." Vin answered, "They ended up in the stones during their time of extinction many millions of years ago to protect themselves and to be awaken by their descendents. From what has been told, all of the precursor eggs have been open except one."
"So, the precursors' descendent open them all except this particular one?" Daxter asked.
"Well, sorta. In reality, throughout the thousands of years, Metal Heads have kidnapped the Precursor's descendents and forced them to open up any of the Precursor stones they could find, and then the Metal Head Leader would suck their power and become bigger and stronger. Only very few precursors got away safety."
"That's not good." Jak muttered.
"You seem to know an awful lot about precursors." Daxter interrupted.
"I did my "Econecic Energy Doctorate on Precurian Theoretical Physics." Vin smiled, "Any who, only one is left and if the Metal Heads find it, we're doomed. It's been in hiding for 500 years, hidden by Mar himself. Though where it is, no one knows. Only the direct heirs to Mar know from what I heard."
"I see." Jak sat down on the hard, cold floor, placing his back on the control panels.
"And the only descendent left of the Precursor is the next heir to the throne himself." Vin came to, "…The kid."
"Everyone has mentioned him, but no one ever knows if he's alive or not." Jak sighed.
"Well, he is very much alive and is the next heir to the throne." Vin continued, "And we're all risking out necks protecting him. After all, he IS our future, he IS Haven Kingdom's future."
"Haven kingdom, this big time, GIANT Kingdom relies on a kid who's barely even developed his shoulders!" Daxter shouted.
"That child knows more about precursors, ecos, and magic more then I do." Vin commented.
"I…see." Daxter sighed, crossing his arms, "Where do the precursors go after they're free from their stones?"
"I…I…don't know." Vin scratched his head.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Daxter cried out, "I thought you were Mr. Smart pants!"
"The Kid might know, but he's not here. I don't know where he is." Vin gulped.
"Geez, some big time smart guy YOU are!" Daxter pointed, "I mean, I bet I would have known it in due time. All these info and we don't even get to know WHERE the precursors goes-"
"Please, don't shout, Daxter, we might get unwanted attention."
"Those doors are metals, they won't hear us!" Daxter and Vin continued their argument while Jak, now standing up, back facing them, pondered…deeply.
"…JAK!" Daxter shouted, "Did you even listen to WHAT I JUST SAID?"
"….The Promised Land." Jak mumbled.
"What?" Daxter cringed his face, "Speak louder, I can't hear ya."
"Which makes Puar confuzzled because you have those big ears." Puar giggled.
"Hush it or I'll blow you a circuit or two." Daxter hissed, "Now what did you say, Jak?"
"…The Promised Land." Jak gasped, as if he had some sort of epiphany, "That's where Precursors go. I remember."
"Uh-huh…" Daxter cocked his head.
"All Precursors go to the Promise Land." Jak spoke clearer, "Promised Land, The Land of Golden Hopes…Heaven…it goes my many names. We go there when we die, if we are of pure hearts and have done good."
"So, you're saying that's where Precursors would go?" Daxter asked.
"Yep." Jak continued, nodding, "They no longer need or wish to dwell in the this planet…the mortal world…they watch from above, creating their own society and a society where people with pure hearts dwell…soon, when this planet dies, the ones with pure hearts will enter the Promised Land…and the we will see the Ultimate Haven."
Vin pondered for while, "That is plausible…………….Well, I best be getting back to work."
"Aren't you worried those Metal Heads might come in the Warp Gate and get ya?" Daxter asked.
"Ooh, those two words give me willies." Vin sighed, "They won't get me. I can lock it anytime…which I should do now." And he did so, the wavy-ness gone and nothing but a big empty circle.
"Smart." Jak nodded. He wondered if he should leave, but then he noticed the technological gadgets and how Vin was comfortable around them…an idea sprouted in his head.
"Vin, buddy, you're smart person." Jak spread his arms, "Maybe you could help us out here. After all, we did save your life."
"Huh, on what?" Vin asked, eyeing Jak while his hands were on one of the keyboards.
"We need you to switch on the access elevator in one of the Palace's support towers." Jak requested.
"Sheesh, that's part of the old B-Zone power grid? It hasn't worked for years." Vin stated.
"Well, if it's too hard for you, I understand. Power stuff can be tricky." Jak grinned, facing away from Vin who stared at him, furiously.
"Tricky? Hmmmmmph…" And with that, the old, but eccentric feel, the old man started to move at a fast pace, eyeing the control station from every angle…
"I could route the B-Zone conduit lines through the bypass grid, shunting past the eco rings to connect the inductor tubes in series, then back through the outer wall indicator helix and across the resonant flux routes into the number five capacitor array. Assuming the circuits in the GX75B can handle the surge, I could link the phase loop lines into the primary coils, and presto, you've got instant lift juice!" He zigzagged all across the station, explaining his plan before he came to a complete stop.
Jak and Daxter stared wide eye at Vin for a good few seconds. Jak broke the shocked silence.
"Vin, you're a genius!"
"Eh, actually Mar was the genius. People said he made most of this stuff long ago – the shield-wall system, the eco grid. " Vin spoke with his eyes and voice in a new light of hope when he mentioned Mar's name.
"Well, how long will it be until the power is restored?" Jak asked.
Vin eyed the screen, mumbling ever so often.
"Well, about…well…umm…a few months." Vin cleared his throat, ready to defend himself lest Jak blow.
"FEW MONTHS?" Jak blew, "How come it takes THAT BLOODY long?"
"I told ya, it hasn't been restored in years!" Vin cried out, shaking as usual, "There are many limits in the world, Jak. Be patient."
All Jak did was groan in frustration. Things were not looking his way.
"I'll get it on." Vin gasped, "Just give me time."
"….Fine." Jak grumbled, arms crossed, face red and deep in frown, "We should leave."
"Ahh, okay. Just don't tell the Baron I ever saw ya!" Vin stated, "I get enough worries from my family."
"You have a family?" Daxter peeped.
"Uh, yea, a wife and son." Vin stated, "Great loving people. Can't live without them."
"I bet your son looks up to ya, two geeks in a pod." Daxter sarcastically put in.
"He does, and he also looks up to my father as well…someone I haven't spoken to in years." Vin almost regret saying that last part.
"Wait, wait, your father's still alive!" Daxter gasped, "He must be a millions years old!" And he was promptly smacked on the back of his head by Jak.
"How come you never spoke with him in years?" Jak asked.
"Too much difference, that's all." Vin nervously smiled, "My son's crazy for him…My father taught the boy how to fight."
"I see." Jak nodded, "Well, I best skedaddle." Jak pointed towards the exit.
"Bye-bye, Master Vin!" Puar optimistically shouted.

……………………

More missions came. All finished, ranging from returning water to the slums to infiltrating an area filled with Metal Heads and then some. Jak was getting use to his work as an Underground member. He made some nice alliances with the Slum Underground members and even traveled with them to local hangouts, other underground locations, and the likes. Jak mostly kept to himself and to make sure Daxter didn't get himself too drunk with beer. Daxter kept drinking all he could be offered while Jak showed he still had some innocence by declining all alcohol beverages. Besides, someone has to be the designated driver. And despite his continued loyal work, Jak's request for the Shadow was still shot down.
Daxter was quite the popular figure in the Underground. Seeing a talking animal was more then fascinating to the people. Daxter would entertain them with songs and dances, and exaggerate with stories he made up mostly to impress Tess who would foolishly fall for Daxter's stories. Her sweet nature and patience got her to like Daxter as the months slowly passed by.

Spring was officially over and summer had finally come…

Underground HQ
Month 7: Kilina, Day 2(Summer Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)

The weather's temperature was now up a few notches, leaving people wearing nothing but shorts and light colored clothing. The trees and other plant lives showed more signs of color and green. The sun was constantly up and the swimming pools open. Fans and air conditioners were turned on in every housing. Daxter's fur has just started to shed, causing little orange piles of fur to be everywhere in the Underground headquarters. This didn't bond well with the easily annoyed Torn who kept threatening poor Daxter that if he didn't stop shedding soon, his crescent shaped knife would end up in his head. But of course, this was something Daxter couldn't stop.
So, while in the Underground, Daxter would usually carry a bucket around with him, which was a tedious and tiring work, but he didn't want Torn all up on him again. The fact Torn has lasted this long with Daxter without killing him was a miracle among many of the undergrounds.
The other annoyance was the lack of air conditioner. The slums were poor, so the best they could do was badly made electric fans or normal fans.
"Can't we just steal an air conditioner or get Vin to install one or something?" one of the underground cried out.
"Zip it!" Torn hissed.
One often wonders how in the world Torn survived the harsh summer weather with all that full blown armor he wore. Jak, however, in keeping with the summer weather wore an indigo colored short sleeved shirt that reached to just half way up his knees (the shirt was held by a black belt). The fabric seemed to be light clothing materials. He donned matching indigo wrist length gloves and while his goggles were still occupying his head, his red bandana went missing, stuffed inside his little bag, too hot for wearing. His hair was also made into a ponytail to drive away the heat some more. His pants and shows were the same though.
That didn't stop Jak from his constant faints which were unfortunately growing more frequently. The Underground members and Jak's friends thought it to be the heat at, but Jak didn't feel convinced.
"I never fainted before I moved here." Jak explained.
"Maybe it's the city's atmosphere." Tess theorized, "The country air is very clean, but the city is a lot dirtier." A lot of undergrounds made nods and agreements.
"Smart AND beautiful." Daxter sighed, "It's a match made in heaven."
"I can handle the atmosphere." Jak noted, "I keep myself healthy running around all day, the faints feel more…more…"
"More what?" Torn barged in, getting close to Jak.
"Well…" Jak struggled to find the right words while Torn glared harshly at him.
"Well?" Torn repeated.
"They feel…mystical." And the underground members walked away in disbelief.
"You know, like the Precursors, maybe they're doing something to me." Jak explained, causing the members to groan some more. Jak learned that people didn't exactly trust things so fast or had high hopes, even to the higher beings. Even Jak felt like doubting himself, but he felt certain strange energies when he fainted. Not to mention he kept hearing voices of his "other self" so to speak. How his other side long to be free. Jak was confused on who he truly was and would try to shake him off his head, to forget what voice was slowly haunting and taking over he's life, inch by inch. Thus, the months passed by. Summer has come…

……………………

Underground HQ
Month 7: Kilina, Day 21 (Summer Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)

Everyday was a study day for the poor child. The Kid, inside the Underground HQ would sit across from his mentor and protector, Kor, as he delved deep into old textbooks. Using Torn's desk as their workplace whenever Torn wasn't busy with it, Kor would teach the young child on mathematics, English, Economics, and even legends dealing with the Precursors, which the child found the most interesting. The Kid was eager to learn, after all, he may be a young child, but he knew of his role, his status, but for once, he wished to go out and play like the other slum children. The child would take breaks, but they never lasted that long. Though his advantage was an exceptionally intelligent brain for one his age, The Kid was quick to bore, wishing for more excitement on his life. For most of his life in the underground, he was locked in his room for safety, only leaving when he had to hide out in other places with his protector Kor every once in a while. It was a repeated schedule he could not break free of.

"Let's take a break, shall we?" Kor requested when he saw The Kid was slowly falling asleep. The child perked up and ran to one of the member's room where his crocadog was. It happily leaped onto the kid's
arm who hugged the dog.
"Don't leave this room." Kor then left. The kid, refusing to let this go on any longer, decided a small peak around the underground HQ wouldn't do anyone any harm, so he silently left with his crocadog following behind. He chose the nearest room to occupy and saw Daxter.
He was napping, awoken by The Kid and his crocadog. He eyed them one eye open and sighed.
"Hey, kid, keep it down, I'm napping." Daxter mumbled. Then he quickly shot up.
"WHOA! It's you!" Daxter gasped. The crocadog ended up growling at the ottsel.
"Hey, keep it down, mutt." Daxter groaned. The crocadog growled some more.
"Yea, you keep growling, ugly." Daxter mumbled. That was it. The crocadog started to lunge after Daxter who coward in fear on the corner of a wall. The kid used whatever strength he possessed to keep his mutt from making Daxter its lunch.
"JAK! HELP! Daxter shouted, "JAK, PLEASE HELP! ANYONE!"
The crocadog slowly gained towards Daxter, inch by inch, while the kid was slowly being dragged along.

"JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKK!"

"What's going on?" Out from the bathroom came Jak, dripping wet with a towel around his waist. He found his answer upon what he saw and quickly move Daxter away. The crocadog lost the boy's grip and started heading straight for the taller blonde boy who held Daxter, now frighten.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Daxter screeched. Jak didn't scream, but he closed his eyes, holding tightly onto Daxter, but no attack came. In fact, no growls, barks, nothing. It was…silent. Jak and Daxter slowly opened their eyes and saw the dog…floating in midair…not moving. Its jaws were still wide open and close to Daxter who shrieked and hid behind Jak. Jak gasped…the dog was frozen. Midair and frozen. Jak slowly cocked his head and there was the boy, eyes closed, concentrating. An aura surrounded him…he made the dog frozen…
"T-The K-Kid?" Jak spoke, hardly able to breathe.
"Bad Dog." The Kid spoke, in a soft, yet mystical manner.

………………

"What…was that?" Jak gasped, speaking softly, breathless. He was now fully dressed.
"That…was magic." The kid smiled calmly. His crocadog now calm as well, panting happily as it sat next to the boy who was on the edge of one of the Underground member's bed with Jak next to them. Daxter was nearby, on top of a drawer.
"So, the kid CAN talk." Daxter crossed his arms, "All these months, you've been living here and we never saw ya."
"I've talked before; you guys were just never around when I did." The kid smiled, "Are you hurt, Daxter? I apologize on behalf of my crocadog. Ani was offended."
"Offended, what did you say to the dog?" Jak eyed Daxter.
"He called Ani "ugly." The kid answered, patting the dog who growled lowly at Daxter.
"DAXTER!" Jak hissed, "Surefire way to bugger off someone with bigger fangs then yours!"
"Alright! Alright!" Daxter cried, "I'm sorry!"
"So, Ani is it?" Jak extended an arm to pet the dog, but it growled furiously at Jak.
"Ani doesn't like strangers." The kid warned Jak, "Many have been bitten as a result."
"What kind of name is Ani, anyways? Sounds girly." Daxter scoffed.
"Actually, Ani is a genderless name. It can be for both males and females, Mr. Daxter." The kid corrected.
"Mr. Daxter?" Daxter retorted. He thought for a second, "Well, it's not Master Daxter, but it'll do."
Jak kept silent for a brief time.
"What is wrong, Mr. Jak?" The kid asked.
"…You…You have magic." Jak wheezed.
"Yes, I do." The kid nodded.
"This is incredible." Jak spoke again, "This must be the powers the royal family has everyone was talking about."
"Yes, it is indeed." The kid spoke again, "Every first born, given powers from the Precursors. We are the chosen ones. A pendent we also hold, also said to have tremendous power as well."
"Isn't that something." Jak squeaked, "That's bloody fantastic."
"You've never seen magic before?" The kid asked, "You've acted like you've never seen the powerful forces at work."
"No, I have…but it's been so long since I seen someone with magic…let alone someone who knows so much about the precursors." Jak answered, "Vin told me you know all about the precursors."
"Well, I wouldn't say "all" about, Mr. Jak, but I know a lot about them." The kid giggled.
"So, you believe in them as well, I assume." Jak asked.
"Yes, yes, I do." The kid nodded slowly, his voice giving out a sense of mystery. Jak had an epiphany. This child knew about the precursors and seemed to possess a decent amount of magic. Maybe…he could help him.
"So, you're important to this entire Underground, eh?" Daxter continued, "Risking our butts for some 5 year old."
"I am 7, Mr. Daxter." The kid corrected again, "I will be 8 in a few months. How old are you both?"
"I'm 18, Jak here is 17, but he'll be 18 soon." Daxter answered.
"When? My birthday is during Purity Day." The kid excitedly smiled.
"What a coincidence, my birthday is on Purity Day, too." Jak smiled a bit. Daxter ended up watching as the two chat and it amazed the ottsel on how innocent Jak looked again. He seemed to be interested in the boy and vice versa. They seemed to share a lot of the same qualities.
"So, you're the true heir to the throne." Jak smiled, "Well, you're awfully intelligent for a child your age and you have good intentions. Yea, I think I'll work extra hard to stop the Baron and get you back on."
"Please do not kill him, Mr. Jak." The kid gasped.
"Wha-Why not?" Daxter popped up, "I mean, this guy is taking over what's rightfully yours! And he's doing a crappy job as well! The entire city is down the dumps because if him! I think he deserves to get the biggest wedgie alive!"
"Oh, Mr. Daxter, I would never even dream to see him die." The kid gasped in horror, "True, the kingdom is slowly dying because of him, but I love my uncle Praxis. A person can be changed, given a second chance."
"Okay, kid, you need to stop clinging onto false hope." Daxter sighed, "It doesn't work that way."
"Everyone has a good heart, no matter how much bad they have done." The kid smiled, "My uncle is currently searching for his. I'm just glad the others, like Ashelin is still good. Erol, too."
"Whoa, whoa, Erol is NOT good." Jak shook his head, a bit confused on the Kid's examination, not to mention on who Ashelin even was, "He's arrogant, bad tempered…more so then me, pigheaded, the list goes on."
"Erol is competitive, Mr. Jak, something he can't be controlled so easily, but he is good." The kid nodded, "He works loyally to the Baron because he respects him, but he is good. Trust me."
"Whatever." Jak sighed.
"You do not have much faith, just revenge, do you, Mr. Jak?" The kid came up.
"It's why I'm working for the Underground." Jak sighed.
"What if you killed the Baron…what about the Metal Heads?" The kid asked.
"Not my problem." Jak shook his head "After the Baron is gone; I'm going to find home. The Metal Heads are merely just diversions."
"But Sir Torn told me you have a home in the country." The kid suspiciously retorted.
"Uhh…I do…I just…well, I mean…crap." Jak groaned, letting out his little secret.
"It's okay; I'll keep your secret." The kid smiled brightly, "After all, there's something special about you, Mr. Jak."
"…What's your name, kid" Jak asked.
"Prince Christof Aradi Del' Alazender Romanir the 3rd." The kid answered. Jak and Daxter stood frozen for a good few seconds.
"You shall call me "Kid." The kid replied, "I am constantly traveling from one hideout to the next and I am wearing slums clothing for disguise. I must be called that as it is my given fake name. My real name will target the Krimzon Guards more easier."
"Oh, okay, yea." Jak nodded.
"Definitely, better then Prince Cream Cheese Alligator…uhh…whatever." Daxter scratched his head, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to find some other place to nap." And with that, the little ottsel left the room, leaving Jak, the kid, and Ani. For a brief moment, a silence fell, then Jak spoke in a rather embarrassed way.
"….Hey, Kid…do you think you can help me?" Jak cleared his throat.
"On what?" The kid asked.
"….This might sound weird, but…I've been fainting…a lot." Jak started.
"I'm aware; there were times when I saw you being carried into the clinic by the underground members." The kid spoke.
"Oh…uh…okay." Jak, embarrassed, and blushing, continued, "Well, any who…see, these faints I've been having…well, I haven't told this to anyone just yet, not even Daxter…but…every time I faint…I… get a voice in my head."
"A voice?"
"Yes." Jak nodded, "He said he is my "other me" and I'm not all that sure on who he is I have this feeling it's my…my…my…"
"My?" The kid urged.
"My…dark side." Jak gulped, "I've turned into him a few times."
"Yes, I heard in the news." The kid nodded.
"It seems to be triggered whenever I get so angry or stressed. So the rest are careful not to piss me off." Jak cleared his throat, "Any who, my main point is…why is there a voice in my head every time I faint?"
"Is there a reason you keep fainting?" The kid asked.
"I…I don't know. I know I faint when I feel weak." Jak tried to answer the best he can, "Then things get blurry and I black out. I also get headaches."
"I see." The kid pondered, "I'm not too sure, but it could be the darkness in you."
"The darkness?" Jak gasped.
"You have Dark Eco inside you, do you not?"
"Yea…I guess everybody knows about that by now."
"Well, no one has truly been injected with dark eco before and lived; maybe that's what is causing your faints. Maybe it's becoming too powerful for you to handle it."
"What do you mean?"
"I am not completely sure. This is only a theory as of right now. I shall talk to Vin about it once I have the chance. Then perhaps we can further investigate your problems."
"Thanks, kid, I owe you one."
"Jak, get your ass in here!" Torn shouted from across the room.
"Okay." Jak shouted back, "I better get going, probably another mission…and I just took a shower, too."
"Best of luck, Mr. Jak." The kid smiled.

Jak made his way to Torn who readied him with another mission. Puar hovered around Torn, watching constantly. Jak noticed Daxter was on Torn's, his nap possibly interrupted by Torn.
"One of my old Guard comrades was sent to the Pumping Station." The lamp on the top started to swing left and right. While Torn spoke with Jak, Daxter started to make faces per lamp swing.
"There's been no word from her patrol, I'm afraid she may need some help." Torn sighed.
"Did you say 'she'?"
"Don't even think about it!" Torn growled defensively.
"I'm not, relax!" Jak backed off, "I didn't think you'd have a girlfriend, is all."
"…?" Torn eyed Jak, surprised and slightly blushing, "What makes you think she's my girlfriend? We're just old war buddies."
"Well, I assume with you acting all defensive and all." Jak rolled his eyes, "I mean, I was that way with a
girl named Kiera…though when it comes to her, we mostly been having an on/off relationship. A couple one moment, friends the next, we never can seem to decide."
"She's a friend, end of story!" Torn growled, then he eyed Daxter who continued to make faces. He stopped the swinging light.
"STOP THAT! THIS IS SERIOUS, YOU MORON!"
Jak was about to smack Daxter, but the little ottsel spoke in time.
"WHAA! That's right! Don't mess with the sugar!" Daxter grinned.
"This 'friend' of mine has helped the Underground many times before." Torn continued, "Go to the Pumping Station and take a look around. Render assistance if needed. (Then he eyed Daxter) Now get your squirrelly ass outta here!" He didn't bother giving Jak a map for Jak once told Torn he's been to the Pumping Station before.
Daxter pulled a raspberry, but Jak quickly took the tiny ottsel and left. Puar closely followed behind.
"Good-Bye, Mr. Jak! Mr. Daxter! Miss Puar!" Jak heard the optimistic boy cry out, who was peeking his head out from the room he was in, waving. Jak slowly waved back, a bit more comfortable waving to the child. Kor immediately saw him outside and quickly ran over to the child.

…………………

Pumping Station
Month 7: Kilina, Day 21 (Summer Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)

The trip to the Pumping Station didn't take long since Jak has been there before. It was afternoon when they reached there.
"So, where do we go from here?" Daxter asked, eyeing the entire Pumping Station as far as he could see.
"Puar, can you give us any help?" Jak asked.
"Puar has Torn's friend's Krimzon vehicle in my sensors, so Puar shall be guiding Master Jak!" Puar squeaked, "Follow Puar!" And they did.
"So, what's a Krimzon Guard doing, helping the Underground?" Daxter asked.
"I guess the same reason why Vin is still working for the Baron and the underground, to make a better city." Jak shrugged.
The duo started walking on a metal pathway.
"You seem to connect pretty well with that kid, Jak." Daxter started a new conversation.
"Yea." Jak scratched the back of his head.
"Well, you were always good with kids." Daxter cleared his throats, "I could never stand those little brats."
"You should talk, shorty." Jak joked.
"Oh, shut up." Daxter rolled his eyes, "Any who, Prince Cream Puff isn't annoying as most kids, I give him credit for that, and he certainly is smart."
"No surprise, he is a prince. Although it is puzzling on why I've never seen him in the months I've spent here." Jak spoke, "The child looks like he's barely had any fun though."
"Mm-hmm." Daxter nodded, a bit uninterested, "You seem so concerned with the kid."
"So?"
"Nothing, the two of ya just felt very brotherly you've been an only child all your life."
"Well…" Jak shrugged, "He knows a lot more then I think…he's magic, Daxter…and knows a lot of the precursors, maybe he can help me with my questions. My faints. He already made a theory about it."
"What about your faints?" Daxter asked.
"Oh, right, you don't know." And Jak felt it best if he told Daxter who was a bit outraged that Jak never told him this before, and he was his best friend, too.
After a while and after running in with the Metal Heads, they saw a Krimzon vehicle nearby. Daxter complained some more.
"Ehhh, what the heck are we doing risking our lives to rescue some old Krimzon Guard hag anyway! She's probably got more facial hair than me!" Daxter started.
"Daxter…"Jak sighed.
"I mean, seriously, Torn hates us. We're the member's stooge, the rookie, the ones stuck with the crappy missions."
"This mission must be important if Torn sent us to retrieve a friend, a friend he might be awfully close to." Jak thought of Torn's defensive personality seen back in the Underground HQ.
"Yea, you just keep believing that Torn likes us and-"
Suddenly out of nowhere, when the trio reached the Krimzon ship, a woman leaped down and gave the death grip to Jak with one arm, the other arm had a gun, locked onto Jak's cheek. A quick shock took over all four of them before anyone did anything.
"Who the hell are you two?" she asked. She was a beautiful woman with red hair, tattoos which were standard Krimzon wear, and a Krimzon outfit, but unlike the others, this one wasn't bothered up in armor, but rather felt more casual with some armor here and there. Of course the look of Ashelin was more then enough for Daxter to lust all over her. She wore some rather skimpy outfits which mainly exposed her chest, belly, and legs. And of course, once again, without any thinking, Daxter spoke when he wasn't suppose to.
"Mmm, I do love a woman in uniform! Wanna bark some orders at me... woof... Woof." Daxter leaped up to the girl, still gripping onto Jak who was blue in the face from lack of breath.
"I'm your soldier on the front lines of looooove! Waiter, foxhole for two…"
"Keep talking and I'll raise your voice by a couple of octaves." The woman stuck out her gun towards Daxter, her other arm still around Jak.
"Whoa, take it easy there." Daxter gulped, "We're the good guys. Torn sent us." And with that, the girl eyed the little rodent and Jak, who was already blue in the face. She let him go which prompt Jak to fall on his knees, gasping for breath.
"Sent by Torn, huh?" The woman sighed, "Didn't think I could handle my own missions. That big worrywart."
"Mistress!" Puar popped out of nowhere, as par usual.
"Puar." The woman spoke the COMP's name, "Yep, definitely sent by Torn."
"Whew…" Jak sighed, getting up, rubbing his neck.
"My bad." The woman shrugged, like she didn't care.
"Well, now that this is all done and over with, how about you telling me a little about yourself?" Daxter grinned.
"This thing talks?" Ashelin gestured.
"Yes, even though he's NOT SUPPOSE to." Jak growled.
"Don't worry; Torn warned me that I'd meet a talking furry annoyance." Ashelin said, "Well, now that this is all done with, I'm outta here."
"Wait, you're leaving already?" Jak asked.
"No point in me staying, I've done my mission." She turned to her vehicle, but then eyed the trio.
"Hey, sweet stripes, gimme them digits so I can look you up sometime." Daxter stated, as Ashelin turned on her vehicle, "We'll party hard, big city style!"
"Oh, yea…tell Torn Baron Praxis is planning something big. I think it has to do with that symbol." The woman continued, ignoring Daxter and pointing instead to the small stump holding a round orange symbol.
"What is it?" Jak shouted while cupping his ears from the engine noise.
"It's the Seal of the House of Mar. The founder of Haven Kingdom. We're being sent out on "suicide missions" to locate artifacts from the time of his rule." The woman answered again.
"Why?" Jak asked again.
"He's looking for something valuable." The woman once again answered.
Jak pondered.
"Well, we don't know what the Baron is really up to, but it can't be good. Tell Torn that, too and that I'll try to find more information." The woman pressed a few buttons to get her machine on a set course, and then she eyed the trio. Daxter was eyeing the woman lustfully while Jak seemed eager and a bit confused. She could see it on the blonde boy's eyes and sighed, shaking her head.
"If curiosity's worth dying for, you can ask the blind old soothsayer in the bazaar named Onin. She might know something about all this." She groaned, knowing that eager look on Jak was enough to tell he wanted to know more, "Here's my bazaar access security pass."
Jak tossed it and flipped it open.
"Your name's Ashelin, huh?" Jak asked.
"We're even now." Then she flew off, leaving the three behind.
"Wow! What a woman! Arrggh!" Daxter grinned.
"Ashelin…Ashelin…" Jak mumbled repeatedly.

I'm just glad the others, like Ashelin is still good. Erol, too.

ASHELIN!
"Oh, so that's her!" Jak gasped, remembering what the kid said about her.
"Yea, so?" Daxter sighed.
"Nothing." Jak cleared his throat, then he got Puar to contact Torn and told him everything that Ashelin wanted him to tell. Torn nodded and started to complain about Ashelin being "stubborn" and left it at that.
"Torn, I'm going to go somewhere for a while." Jak noted, "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Yea, whatever." Torn groaned, "Might be best lest I have to hear that rodent one more time."
"Hmph!" Daxter growled.
Puar shut off the communications.
"Puar, show me a map to the Bazaar." Jak ordered and Puar did.
"Come on Dax, looks like we got some work to do." And the two left.
The Seal of Mar, the same shape as the kid's pendent: An orange circular object cut in two as if the two were in balance.
To Be Continued…