Jak II
ACT 1: A City Under Siege
Chapter 7: A Trip ta' the Farm

3 weeks and nothing…

My little Jak started school 3 weeks ago and still; he would sit alone in the playground while the other little children would play with their friends. H never did anything. He never spoke to them, let along tried to gain their attention. All he did was sit on that stone bench, clutching his lunch bag, while staring at either the ground or his peers. I kept going to the school often when I got note from his teacher on how he would always remain quiet. He would refuse to answer any questions she ask, let alone go to the board to write his answers. I grew concerned. Perhaps he wasn't ready for school just yet.

He talked very little at home, which comes to no surprise. I kept asking him, but he gave no response. I grew frustrated and decided a talk with Samos was in order.

"Perhaps he is homesick?" I suggested.
"The boy doesn't remember anything when he came here, you know that."
"Then what is wrong with him?"
"How should I know? I'm a sage, not a counselor!"
"…………"
"Sorry…I've been busy ever since I adopted little Kiera. She's a real pistol."
"Yes, Kiera is a bit…rambunctious, but who can blame her for being so angry? Her parents were killed by those awful Lurkers."
"They're not so awful over where I come from."
"Oh?"
"In time, she'll get better. I have faith."
"It's Jak now that I worry, Samos. The boy has no friends. He could grow up to rebel. We cannot afford that, can we, Samos?"
"No, not if he is the destined one."
"…I'll see what I can do."

As I tucked him in bed, I asked young Jak why he refused to be with the kids. He expected that after I asked him for the umpteenth time. To his surprise, he answered.

"I'm different from them all…and they know it." He answered, "I've accidentally demonstrated my powers…why do the adults not fear me, but the children do? I don't wish to harm them, Uncle."

"Oh…I see. Well…children aren't as complicated as us adults, most of them, anyways. Children see the world as black and white. If something is evil, it is evil, if something is good, it is good. They don't think of anything else but that one goal and theory in their head. When they see you, they see nothing but a child who possesses such powers to scare them. That's all they see of you and will until you do something about it."
"Do something…"
"You cannot sit there and do nothing, Jak. You must stand up and show them who you truly are: a kind, selfless little boy with a great heart."
"And if they do not accept me still?"
"Then they aren't worthy of you. You're special, yes, but you're just like everyone in this village and in the end, you'll inspire us all. You inspired me and a handful of adults. It's the children who needs to believe."
"Strong words, dear Uncle…I shall think about what you have said."
"You sound so formal."
"I don't know why."
"Heh, Heh, go to bed, you little ragamuffin."

Back then, those words were just random things that popped up in my head. What I didn't know was how it affected Jak.
I received word a few days after my little speech to him that Jak had saved two children's lives. They were Kiera and a boy named Daxter. I heard Jak was badly wounded and was in the Sandover clinic. I marched on in there and there he was, along with Kiera and Daxter. I said no words; I just took Jak home and placed him in bed. An arm cast, bandage around his head and a couple of wraps, but he was alive, Thank the Precursors.
After he felt slightly better, I asked him what happen…

"…It all happen when I was in school…"

……………………

Farming Area
Month 8:Augosti, Day 4 (Summer Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)
Sunset. The trio of heroes walked the grassy path as they have reached the Farm Area. The three was about to make their way to the Bazaar Area to seek out Onin whom was mentioned by Ashelin a few days ago. As they walked, they would also stop occasionally when they saw farmers tending to the Yakows and other live stocks. The sounds of their bellows, the clucking of the flightless birds, and the barking of dogs made Jak stop every so often. He enjoyed the pleasant farm smell the most. That was the familiar scent of Sandover. The familiar scent of the country.

"Jak, are you gonna smell the air all day?" Daxter groaned, "We gotta get moving!"
When it comes to Daxter, his relationship with the country nearly left his thoughts and feelings. After two years in the city, he grew so used to it; he did not care if he ever saw wagons and Yakows again. He loved the city life. Jak, stuck in prison and limited on what he saw of Haven City, caused his feelings for home to dwell inside him.
"Well, excuse me for getting all nostalgic. I just want to go home after I kick the Baron's ass." Jak sniffed,
"Yea…I do kinda miss the pies over there." Daxter grinned, "Speaking of which, I smell pies." Jak smelled as well and gave off a short nod.
"That smell! That intoxicating smell! It smells…just like Ms. Bakerz's cookings!" Daxter squealed, and then he scampered off.
"DAXTER!" Jak cried out, "Where are you going? You can't just barge in!"
"And Daxter is suppose to be quiet when Daxter is in public places!" Puar added.
Jak and the Puar found Daxter eyeing a long table full of pies.
"Whoa…that's a lot of pies." Daxter gasped, "…Maybe one bite couldn't hurt?" Daxter spoke as he leapt down on the table where he almost grabbed a piece.
"HEY, GIT YOUR MITTS OFF TH' PIES!" a man cried out, shooing Daxter away, "Filthy l'il animal!" Daxter made the little Ottsel sound and climbed up Jak's shoulder.
"That little rat's yers, l'il lad?" the man grumbled.
"Unfortunately yes." Jak cleared his throat. The man was a bulgy figure. Wearing a plaid shirt and loose pants, he sported an equally bulgy face. Covering his face was the shaggiest beard, white in color, matching with his hair. For an old man who looked near his 40's, he still had all the hair on his head. Lastly, he donned a white cowboy hat. His accent was a southern Haven Kingdom feel.
"Well, do me a favor and keep an eye on that der l'il critter." The man grumped. He turned his back on Jak and started to organize the pie, "Th' pie eatin' contest is gonna be a mess if all th' pies are eaten."
"A pie eating contest." Jak was all too familiar with pie eating contests. Daxter was a champ in his village. Jak only joined once and immediately lost after scarfing down two whole pies.
"Yep, a pie eatin' contest, ya city slicker." The cowboy continued.
"I remember pie eating contest." Jak sighed, "My pet here is a top champ where I came from." The fat man stopped his organizing, turned around, and faced Jak.
"You're from the country, l'il lad?" He asked, one eye closed tightly, the other strictly on Jak, his teeth clenched, his expression of slight shock and suspicious.
"Yes." Jak nodded.
"Only one way to find out." The fat man grinned, "HEY! Stinky Pete, git your ass in here!" And with that, a small lanky man wearing overalls with a raggedy red shirt came. His cowboy hat was too big for him and his gray beard was longer and shaggier then the fat cowboy's. He didn't have many teeth left in his body either, so he carried around fake ones he made himself out of wood in his pocket. Perfect for eating. When Stinky Pete started walking to the trio in a limp manner while speaking to himself in nonsensical gibberish, Jak started to have doubts of ever coming near a pie again.
"Pete, sniff the young'un." The fat cowboy ordered.
"WHAT!" Jak gasped. Before he could do anything, Stinky Pete started to sniff everywhere on Jak while Jak started to shout, telling him to not "sniff there". When Pete was done, he started speaking in his nonsense language.
"Pete says you is all from the country, except that gadget ya got there." The cowboy smiled.
"Ummm, okay…but was all that sniffing…….necessary, really?" Jak asked, blushing from embarrassment.
"Gotta make sure, we don't trust dem city folks at that much anymore since the Baron's rule, until then, they were merely tolerable." The cowboy spoke, "But then again, we have to still keep an open alliance wit them if we wanna live and have festivals. And ol' Stinky Pete is the best durn sniffer in this here area…can tell the difference between a city folk and a country folk, l'il lad."
"That's…nice, but seriously, why not go back to the country?" Jak asked, "Oh, and don't call me "l'il lad."
"Well, this was established since the beginning of the city, l'il lad which I WILL call ya cuz' you're in my territory, so don't get your knickers in a knot." The cowboy started, "Any who, this city survived this long for 300 years because of its balance. Farming is one of the many balances fer this here city. Why, we give off our crops to th' people, in return, they give us money and funding to grow more crops and even hold festivals."
"I see." Jak nodded.
"We need to keep this city from strayin' so damn far from them techno gadgets." The cowboy continued, "Farmin' has been our heritage for hundreds of years, we need to keep the grass green, my boy, the grass green."
"I know." Jak nodded, well aware of his country roots.
"Lately, the Baron's been messin' with our systems and limitin' on our festivities." The cowboy spoke with utter hatred, "Doublin' our jobs for double the crops, usin' parts of our land for the Baron's own plans…I swear, this never would have happen if the REAL heir was on that there throne. I've seen the young'un…much l'il then ya. Cute as a button, but smart as a scientist."
"You've met Prince Christof before?" Puar asked, "Hmm…I think I remember you."
"Yes, ma'am, I have. When you're the head of the Farm district, someone's gotta go in and meet th' King, after all, he controls our very Kingdom, including this here farm land. I swear, when the Baron took over, I felt sadden when I heard news dat th' Prince was missin' and even possibly dead! Sure hope he's okay."
"Have faith." Jak shrugged.
"Heh, dat's what the Prince would always say." The cowboy smiled, "Say there, what's your name, l'il lad?"
"Jak. This is my…uh…"pet", Daxter, and personal COMP, Puar." Jak introduced, slightly irritated on him being called "l'il lad" continuously.
"I'm Avery Huwan." The cowboy shook Jak's hand roughly, then let go, "This here is Stinky Pete, mah business partner."
"Business…partner?" Jak cleared his throat.
"MMmm mmmmmm mmmm graaaaaaaaaa mmmaaaaggg." He sounded like he strangled a cat and ate it.
"He said "it's a real pleasure to meet ya'll." Avery translated.
"Hello." Jak sheepishly waved, "How…smashing."
"How are you handlin' the city?" Avery asked, "And do you have a last name or you just plain Jak?"
"It's fine, though I want to go back to the country soon." Jak answered, "And it's just…Jak."
"I thought it was Jak Bannon, Master Jak." Puar corrected…sort of.
"It IS BLOODY WELL NOT." Jak corrected through clenched teeth, angry at what Krew wrote down for his last name on their contract. Avery made a small smile and followed up on Jak's comment to return back to the country.
"Don't we all?" Avery smiled, "Our ancestors used to live in dat there villages outside of the city, where the Metal Heads can easily get to them. We ain't got much protection compare to the city."
"I can understand the Baron not doing anything about it, but I'm sure the late King would have done something." Jak responded.
"He would have, l'il lad, if not for that fact that we country folks are stubborn as dem Yakows." Avery laughed, "We think we can handle it on our own. Although the Kings can be stubborn, especially considerin' the outside villages and towns are part of th' Kingdom."
"If that keeps up, the Metal Heads will get to them." Jak sighed.
"I know…I know…I have family there as well, back in the Sunny Village where I was born." Avery sighed, "Had to learn to fight ever since I was a young'un. Always carryin' a long pistol, practiced till' my aim was sharper then cactus needle. Any who, enough about me, what part of the village are yer from?"
"Oh, I come from a village called Sandover." Jak answered, "Maybe you've heard of it?" Avery pondered for a second, but stopped.
"Nope, can't say I have." Avery shrugged. Jak felt disappointed.
"So…pie eating contest." Jak, changing the depressing subject to something lighthearted spoke.
"Yep, got a festival comin' tomorrow…the ones NOT cancelled by that damn Baron." Avery stated, "Yer welcome to join, if you wish."
"I suppose." Jak sighed, "If not to relieve my feeling of nostalgia."
"Won't Master Torn get mad?" Puar asked.
"Well…uhh…" Jak started, trying desperately to finish his answer. He was interrupted once again when a few Krimzon Guards came their way. Jak gasped and quickly placed the red scarf over his mouth and nose and hid behind Avery to further help his disguise.

"What can I do fer ya, gentlemen?" Avery asked the guards, keeping a rather suspicious face on. Stinky Pete was besides him, talking his nonsensical speech as usual.
"By order of the Baron, we've been asked to tell you to cut off the festival for tomorrow." The leader of the small Krimzon Guard group spoke, "Instead, the money you made on tickets and funds are to be promptly delivered to the Baron's headquarter for his special project, post haste!" Then the other guards came with boxes for the money.
"Ya gotta be kiddin' me!" Avery cried out, "Ya can't do this to us! We spent a very long time gettin' this here money and now you want it? And the festival…ya can't cancel the festival! We spent a long time plannin' this!" His shouts formed a small crowd.
"Orders from the Baron, now fork it over!" The leader Krimzon Guard cried out.
"YA CAN'T DO THIS! The money will probably be wasted on them FAT CATS in the Mall Area, whom, by th' way, don't deserve no money cuz' they're already stinkin' rich!" Stinky Pete grumbled harshly.
"No, Stinky Pete, I wasn't makin' fun of yer name." Avery sighed, "Honestly, I keep tellin' ya that!"
"Look, I got strict orders from the Baron for his secret project. You either hand over the money or get arrested!" The leader Guard grabbed Avery's shirt and seem rather to pummel him.
"STOP THAT!" Jak cried out, the scarf still on his face. He shoved the guard away from Avery, "Stop that and get your armored ass outta here or you're in for a world of hurt!"
"Who the bloody hell are you!" The leader spoke.
"I'm your worst nightmare!" Jak shouted, "It's greedy people like you who make honest people like them live in a life of chaos and disorder and that's my opinion which more then compensate for that corny line I just said 3 seconds ago!"
"Look, just back away and I won't have to hurt you!" The Krimzon Guard cried out, "This don't concern you."
"No." Jak stood his ground.
"L'il Lad, I can handle it." Avery whispered.
"I'll be fine!" Jak growled.
"Jak, you're getting a bit angry, calm yourself…NOW!" Daxter hissed quietly. Unfortunately, Jak did not hear Daxter's words. His anger level was boiling up as he and the Guard started to argue.
"Back away!"
"I won't!"
"I will hurt you if this keeps up!"
"For arguing? I'm not doing anything other then shouting in your face!"
"If you're abusing an officer, I have the right to hit!"
"Then go ahead and HIT ME! You'll miss and before you know it, I'll break off your bleedin' arm!"
"STOP THE THREATENING!"
"NO!"
The Guard has had enough, he punched Jak in the face who was knocked down, but not out.
"Little Bastard!" The Krimzon Guard spat. Jak then ran after and tackled the guard. Soon, a fight between the two broke out. Shouts from both the residences of the Farm area and the Krimzon Guards came as they formed a crowd around Jak and the leader guard. The two gave a few punches and a kick while insults flew.
"BASTARD!"
"SHITBAG!"
"BLOODY ASSHOLE!"
"Go to HELL!"
"YOU GO TO HELL!"
"I outta smack you for that!"
The guard had the more slight advantage as his armor was protecting him, but in the end, he was bleeding on the non armored parts. Jak had more injuries. A black eye, bloody nose and mouth, and some parts of his shirt ripped. The fight went on.
The other guards had enough of this and finally managed to all piled onto Jak who struggled to get out.
"Okay, come on, we better take you to headquarters and do something about you." One of the guards cried out. The leader got up and shook himself off, his comrades helping him up. The farmers only just watched helplessly. What could they do?
"HEY! Let the l'il lad go!" Avery shouted, "Take me instead, he ain't done nuthin'!" The guards ignored him and continued to hold Jak still. Stinky Pete mumbled to Avery.
"Well, yea, he did fight…hoo boy." Avery gulped, "But still…"
"Where's the tranquilizer gun?" one of the guards shouted.
"I don't know!"
Jak struggled with all his might, he wanted to be free. He didn't wanted to go back.
"I HATE YOU ALL! I HATE THE BARON! I HATE THIS CITY! I HATE EVERYTHING!" Then he let loose…

…………………

It came back….the sudden darkness. Before anything can happen, a split second before anything can happen…Jak was now pale once more. Horns came from his head, his eyes were entirely black.
"Oh-No!" Daxter gasped, "It's happening again!"
The entire people all gasped in horror at Jak's transformation. After a split second of transforming into his darker self, he launched his arms up in the air and sent the Guards flying.
"BACK-UP! I NEED BACK-UP!" The leader guard cried out. Jak cut him off and started to pummel him. His long claws were enough to shred the armor off of the guard and he struggled, screaming in pain as Jak attacked him. He was gonna die, he just knew it. Jak was clawing him like an animal. Was he going to eat him? Just kill him and promptly head for the others? Anything was possible. There are no laws and rules for raged animals.
The leader guard was saved when more Krimzon Guards, including the Krimzon Health Guards (armored in green then red) were around. They took out the injured while Jak continued his fight with the other guards. He slashed and ran towards the next victim who was near him. Electricity came off his body, giving him raw power he never had before. Dark magic poured from his vein and he started to kill faster and stronger when he started to shoot out energy balls of sorts. Eventually, the guards refused any back-up calls, for sacrificing many guards for a fight they couldn't win was an awfully bad decision. So, the survivors ran, while the Health Guards took the wounded…and the dead. Jak…he was full of power unlike anything he has ever felt. Why? He could use this power for his own good.

Ahhh, just think about it. All those times, you could get revenge. People have doubted the special powers you have, little Jak. He could pray on them and destroy them all. Decapitate them, if you must, you can eat them. It doesn't make you a cannibal...it makes you a demon…doesn't it feel grand whenever you have power in your side, where nothing can stop you?

But wait! Why was Jak thinking these thoughts? Someone talking to him, perhaps? NO! He is not evil…is he?
The power of the Dark Eco left his body and Jak returned to normal.
"MASTER JAK!" Puar cried out. Daxter shrieked his ottsel shriek.
Jak, bleeding and hair and cloth tattered, he slowly started to fall. The residence of the Farm area watched the young blonde haired boy, with shock and mixed expression. Daxter and Puar (her lens cap grew yellow from shock) shared the same as well. Jak muttered something and fell unconscious.

…………………

"OOOOOh, that was FUN!"
"Wha-"
"Killing nearly all of them…how delightful!"
"No…NO! I let the…darkness take over me again, didn't I?"
"Yep! Yep!"
"NO!"
"You killed a lot of guards, you demon, you."
"Shut up…"
"HA! For a minute there, you were happy with your powers. You LOVED the darkness. It caressed you and warmed you. You felt safe in it! You never wanted to leave. You wanted to use that for your revenge…revenge…you've craved such a power. Admit it, you LOVED it!"
"NO! You made me think that! YOU MADE ME! You're the one who loves it! NOT ME!"
"Don't you want this power? Force is the only way for them to understand. Those narrow minded fools. Relinquish yourself to the Dark and you can become the Dark forever."
"NO, I won't! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"
"Silly fool, you still don't understand…do you not realize the potential in you? As a child, those kids didn't understand you. You were pure back then, but even if you were innocent, you wanted to hurt them, used force to destroy them. Why not now?"
"The kids understood me later. It just shows that patience can lead to good things."
"HA! You haven't been patient since you got out of jail! You hypocritical little bastard! Still just a naïve fool. You're strong….but weak. You get weaker every time we speak, every time you feel darkness…and one of these days, when the time comes…I will take you under my wings and raise you into the power of darkness…I know all your weaknesses, your strengths…your fear…hobbies…after all, I AM you…"

………………………

"He's waking up!" A woman, near the same age as Avery shouted.
Jak observed his surroundings. He was in a rather cramped room, but a simple room, nonetheless. The walls were tan and covered with cute paintings of super deformed farmers. There was a shelf full of children's picture books, and a window nearby.
"Well, ya feelin' better, l'il lad?" Avery asked.
"Where am I?" Jak mumbled.
"Mah house, of course." Avery grinned, then the old woman came, "Oh, this here is mah wife, Mimi."
"Hello." Mimi slightly waved. Jak slowly wave back slowly, still lying on the bed, unable to quite grasp his surroundings. Daxter and Puar were on a hard chair next to the bed. Jak noticed he had an ace bandage around his forehead and a couple of bandages on his face and arms. His chest was also bandaged which brought Jak's attention. He was shirtless. Mimi noticed that and went to another room and back with his shirt.
"Here I sewed it back for you." She said, "It had a lot of holes." Jak slowly took it, rose up, and struggled to put it on. Mimi quickly helped Jak put his shirt on with Avery criticizing on her "babying him."
"I can't help it; it's a mother's feeling." Mimi shook her head. Jak made a small gesture of thanks and just sat on the bed, looking extremely disappointed in himself.
"That was some power ya showed there, l'il lad." Avery smiled, "Ain't never seen anythin' like that!"
"You're…not afraid?" Jak gasped. Avery shook his head.
"As long as you're on our side, dat's fine wit me."
"I see--what about the festival?" Jak asked, changing the subject. Avery hung his head low.
"After you did what you did, the Guards came in and took our money and cancelled our festival anyway." Avery sighed, "They also asked where you were. It took a while, but we convinced them that you ran off. We manage to hide ya before they got reinforcements ta' collect the money."
"Oh, well…thanks." Jak spoke in a quiet voice.
"Mr. Avery cannot make new festival?" Puar asked.
Avery groaned, "What's the point? They'd cancel that one, too. One of the Baron's favorite things to do is to make others suffer for his amusement. He cancels our festivals and yet we STILL do our end by supplying him with crops. At this rate, all our money will be gone and we won't be able to grow more crops."
"You should rebel." Jak sighed, "It may be small, but the little things can make all the difference. I'm one man, but I toppled those bloody soldiers like dominos."
"I could, but I ain't no violent man by nature." Avery spoke, "I only hurt when I need to defense myself, l'il lad."
"Then I'll fight for you." Jak stood up (in which he slowly clutched his chest from pain), "Anything to hurt the Baron!"
"Jak, please, I don't want no more trouble, ya hear?" Avery could see the determination on the boy, but he only responded back with a soft, sad voice, "I don't want ta' see ya hurt…don't want ya ta' to end up like him."
"End up like who?" Jak asked.
"Our son." Mimi sat on the edge of the bed, "He died tryin' to save this area, doing his best to stop the Baron, and got killed as a result, this is his room your in."
"Oh…" Jak cleared his throat.
"Ya can spend th' night here." Avery sighed.
"Are you sure?" Jak asked, "I don't want any of you feeling uncomfortable or bothersome because of me."
"We don't mind." Mimi softly spoke, "We don't mind at all."
Jak cleared his throat, "Alright…thanks and all. I'll be out of here by tomorrow. I have a mission to fulfill anyways."

………………

Jak rested afterwards and far into morning where Mimi had made Jak breakfast and some pies from the now cancelled festival. Daxter was an eating machine with the pies.
"I told ya he was the champ." Jak grinned.
"So, where are ya'll headin'?" Avery asked. Stinky Pete was next to him, eating his pancakes like caveman. No forks were required for him. His hands and teeth were his utensils. While Daxter did the same (being an animal and all), he was less messy. Jak, however, fiddled with his pancake until Stinky Pete was finished, having near lost his appetite. Stinky Pete left after he ate, his beard now full of pancake pieces.
"Pete, wipe yerself off!" Mimi shouted. Pete grabbed a random napkin and wiped his beard with one full swipe, which caused it to look worse then before. Then he mutterer something before he walked out of the house to greet the morning.
"Does…he…live with you?" Jak gulped.
"Nah, he has his own home and his wife, l'il Betty." Avery smiled, "We call her l'il cuz' she's younger then us at about 15 years or so."
"….Oh." Jak gulped.
"Yep, the two had kids together, all grown up and livin' their own lives." Avery smiled.
"Well, at least I know Stinky's wife sure got some excitement outta HIM!" Daxter commented to Jak's ear so Avery wouldn't hear. Jak nearly choked on his pancake.
"So, where ya headin'?" Avery asked again.
"To the bazaar, seeing someone named Onin." Jak answered, "Need to get some info."
"I see." Avery pondered, "Ya got a way to travel there, l'il lad?"
"No." Jak shook his head, "I was planning to walk there."
"Or steal a vehicle." Daxter mumbled which Jak has done a few times before. Jak told him to hush.
"Well, come on out then." And Avery left his chair and went outside. Jak shrugged, then followed.

Outside, Avery led the three to a fence where horse-like animals (the main difference are the small wing-like arcs sticking out of their hips, back, and a beak-like mouth, among other little oddities) walked and grazed.
"Whoa." Daxter gasped.
"Mustallions!" Jak gasped.
"Yip!" Avery smiled, "Here, ya can ride one. Mustallions are allowed in the Bazaar section. Quite popular rides der." Avery took out a pure white one, medium in height compare to the others, but still taller then Jak, "This one is still a young'un, but she's a fast one. Mah wife raised her. Mah wife is one of the best Mustallion trainers and breeders ever. This one here is called BellFlower."
"Oh, wow, we're going to ride a mustallion named BellFlower, how very manly of us." Daxter sarcastically mumbled.
"She's beautiful." Jak grinned; though even the name "BellFlower" made Jak cringe a little.
"Ya can ride her anywhere, especially if yer headin' to the Haven Forest in the near future." Avery suggested, "Mustallions love that place because that's where their origin lied."
"Oh…Haven Forest, eh?" Jak pondered.
"It's that gate o'er there." Avery pointed, "Come back anytime, ya hear, and take care of BellFlower, like our son once did."
"Thanks." Jak nodded, as he got up on BellFlower, already quipped with a saddle.
"Ya know how ta' ride one, right?" Avery asked.
"Yep, no worries." Jak winked, then he made some "click click" noises with his mouth and BellFlower ran off, Jak shouting a "WAHOO" as the three moved on.
"Oh, did he leave already?" Mimi came out, "Ah was about to give him some of mah pies."
"Nah, he'll be back real soon, Ah can feel it in mah blood." Avery smiled.

………………

Farming Area
Month 8:Augosti, Day 5 (Summer Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)
"How much further until we get to the Bazaar?" Daxter complained, his head down, starring at the lifeless road, littered with gum, dirt, and other forms of trash littered alongside people's feet, constantly moving.
"Well, according to Puar, we're here." Jak answered, staring at the main entrance to the Bazaar. An area with white walls twisting and turning like a maze. Several neon signs graced the top, and market places selling fruits, fishes, and vegetables were plenty. The people in here didn't seem to possess as much technology as the people of Haven City, like those in the Farm Area, preferring their own methods.
"Oh, that's…some place." Daxter moaned.
"It's a place, what more do we need to know?" Jak asked, "Come on, let's go find Onin." The trio moved on, BellFlower's hooves clipping and clopping.
"Well, the plus side is the food, there seems to be a whole hell lot of them here!" Daxter grinned, "Do we have any money to buy some?"
"We had breakfast a couple of hours ago." Jak sighed. Daxter, putting on his innocent face, gave a stare at Jak.
"Maybe after we find Onin, I'll buy something, happy?" Jak spoke, annoyed.
"Well, there certainly are a lot of paths…" Daxter sighed.
"The bazaar is a lot bigger then people realize and there are multiple paths to take." Puar commented, "It's just like a maze! Tee Hee."
"Oh, goodie." Jak mumbled.
"Yea, lots of people trade and have businesses here." Puar commented, "Businesses that doesn't involve anything technological, simpler really. If you want modern businesses, it's best to head back to the Mall Area."
"Oh, look a tent, that's something I didn't see in here." Daxter pointed, "and it's got a giant skull and cross on the front…how inviting."
"This is the entrance to Mistress Onin's tent." Puar explained, then she switch to a creepy voice, "Enter and get your fortune told. You'll never know what your future lie! OOOOOOH!"
"Cut that out!" Daxter snapped, "You sound like a retarded floating advertisement." And with that, Puar nearly gave way to her emotional.
"He's joking, don't cry again." Jak quickly moved on, "I got enough headaches as it is." Daxter and Puar watched as Jak gave a small sigh.
"Look, let's go in and see how Onin can help us, okay?" Jak asked, "Who knows? Maybe she can help me with my problems with my dark side as well." Jak leaped off of BellFlower and went inside.

Inside, the entire placed was cramped with items no one normal would stock in their home. Glowing totem statues, a cage of flying insects, and a mirror of some sort that looked as though it was hypnotizing to look at. On the minus side, the entire ground was crawling with bugs. It didn't bother Jak much. They were just little bugs and none of them looked poisonous. It felt like being in a small shop selling mystical and magical items. Jak and Daxter observed their surroundings with Puar merely hovering above them. Daxter, during his observations of the place, noticed an animal hanging, eyes closed, wings limp. It was a colorful bird with the tail and face of a monkey.
"Coooool! Check out the dead stuff!" Daxter poked the animal, which promptly beat his finger.
"OW!" While Daxter mended his finger, the animal spoke.
"Touch the goods again, rat boy, and you'll be, arrrk, counting with your toes!" The hanging animal cried out, speaking in a unique accent not commonly seen in Haven Kingdom. It flew from it's position, looped in a circle, and flew to an old woman who moved, waving her arms in a serene manner. Jak had sworn she was a statue. She was exceptionally still when she had to be. The bird/monkey flew on top of her bowl-shaped hat.
"I am Pecker!" the animal introduced, spreading his wings out in a dramatic fashion.
And Jak and Daxter giggled at his name."
"Yes, yes, I know, my mother, she was... very vindictive." Pecker cleared his throat, twiddling his wings, "I am Onin's interpreter."
Onin made her response by clapping her hands until blue magic dust sprinkled out from her. Jak and Daxter eyed each other. So, Onin couldn't talk.
"Onin welcomes you, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah... the usual boring salutations. She says it is good to see you again, Jak." Puar giggled.
"Huh? But we've never met before." Jak scratched his head, then crossing his arms, raising suspicion.
"Before... after... it is all the same." Pecker shrugged.
"Umm…okay." Jak shrugged. Pecker was about to continue interpreting until Daxter blabbed in. He could talk freely, after all, Pecker heard him speak, there's no point in hiding.
"Oh! Oh! Let me try! Aaah... she wants a... She wants a yakow bone! A yakow bladder! No... no... I got it! For many moons... she has... waited for... a juice pop? A jewel shop? Oh... oh... I know, she's got a hairball! A hair lip? A hairy chest?" Daxter's failed attempt to interpret. Pecker flew close to the three figures near the entrance.
"Close... but NO!" Pecker spoke harshly, "Onin says you seek answers... arrrkkk, about the Tomb of Mar."
"Tomb of Mar…" Jak repeated, unsure of what that was, yet strangely familiar, "Umm...yea, I suppose. What do we need to know?"
"She's going on and on about mystical energy channels, evil curses, stupid 'ooooooo' crap." Pecker sighed, "Forget all that, I'm gonna sum this up quickly, because now you're cutting into my siesta time. Onin wants you to recover three artifacts from the Precursor Mountain Temple. Not two! Not four! THREE! Use the Warp Gate at the northwest side of the city, and bring back the three items you find. The three can be found in Haven Forest."
"Okay, but what does the three items look like?" Jak asked.
Pecker once again flew to Onin. There, Onin displayed the items magically like a hologram for the three to see.
"A crystal…a gear…and a glass len cap." Pecker answered, "Now get moving!" Pecker made a mystical position, wrapping himself with his wings and closed his eyes. After a few seconds of waiting, Pecker urged the three to leave and they did.


"… I didn't even get a chance to ask about my problem." Jak muttered as they rode the way out from the Bazaar.
"In time, Master Jak." Puar spoke, hoping to cheer up the young blonde.
"How does a glass len, a gear, and a crystal connect to the mysterious Precursor stuff…if at ALL?" Daxter shouted.
"Would be please talk softer." Jak groaned, "By the Precursors, it's not hard to shut up once in a while or at least lower your volume down. As for your question, I don't know how they're connected. I guess we better find them and see for ourselves."
"Yea, yea." Daxter sat on Jak's shoulders, arms crossed, "Hey, you promised you'd buy some food here."
Jak let out a sigh of annoyance. Of course, he did end up buying them anyways. Only way for Daxter to shut up as to not raise any suspicious.

…………………

"So, Haven Forest." Jak pondered, "Avery mentioned it before. He even pointed to the gateway to get there."
"Ya think a trip to Avery is in order?" Daxter asked.
"I bet." Jak nodded. BellFlower neighed.
"What?" Jak asked.
"She said she likes the sound of going to Haven Forest." Daxter answered. Jak stopped BellFlower and stared at Daxter.
"Since when do you speak Mustallions?" Jak gasped.
"Oh, something I discovered during my stay in the city…I can talk with animals." Daxter grinned, "I think it's because I AM an animal. It's a pretty recent discovery. I think it's a pretty cool trick, don't ya think?"
"Oh, Puar thinks' it's the bee's knees!" Puar giggled.
"You learn something new from a friend everyday." Jak gave his "Damn, I can't believe I didn't see that before" look, "Sounds like you've done a lot in the city besides entertaining."
"Yea, have I ever told you about me joining as a bug exterminator?"
"A bug…exterminator?"
"Yea, funny story. It started when…"

The three (four, counting BellFlower) made their way back to the Farm area where Avery once again greeted them. Same with Mimi and Stinky Pete.
"So, headin' to the forest, eh?" Avery repeated what Jak told him, "Guess we better git the gate open then." Avery, alone with Jak, Daxter, Puar, and BellFlower moved to the gateway to the forest.
"Hey, Bane, open th' gate!" Avery shouted. Bane, a rather buff cowboy got off from his chair and pulled a lever, getting the door to open.
"Well, have fun." Avery smiled. BellFlower neighed as Jak and the others started to leave. She walked closer to Jak and nuzzled her face towards Jak's.
"What?" Jak groaned, slightly annoyed.
"Ah think she wants to go with ya." Avery answered. Jak stared at Daxter who nodded in agreement.
"Right." Jak mumbled, getting on top of BellFlower again.
Avery watched as the four left.
"He's good with animals, ey?" Avery nodded. Stinky Pete answered in his usual way.
"Yea, yea, you're good with dem, too." Avery sighed, "Ya just have a problem with dem animals and der droppings…ya DON'T sniff 'em cuz' they ain't food!" Stinky Pete nodded in shame…
To Be Continued…

……………

Author's Note: Avery's accent is Southern Haven, and while he is a cowboy, his accent is more Scottish then anything. His wife sounds more German in accent.