Jak II Chronicles

by Neo Yi

Yes, a Jak II fanfic adaptation, but do more then merely adapt it. But enhance it. The First in my Blue Curtain Trilogy. Special Director's Cut editiom. ALL CHAPTERS ARE NOW REVISED Finally.

11. Haven Palace

Jak II:
ACT 1: A City Under Siege
Chapter 11: Haven Palace

Jak has had many dreams before like any other normal person. The most interesting ones, so he says, he would share with me. One, in particular caught the interest of Samos. Jak and I were visiting him one day. We visit quite frequently, if not for Jak and his role in life. Jak and Kiera would play in Kiera's room…well, now. Before Kiera and Jak were friends, little Jak would usually been covered in bruises or she would stay as faraway as she could from Jak. Now, it felt surreal, yet happy, with the two playing together. Any who, back to that particular dream.

"Kiera, you ever had a dream that felt…well…real?" Jak asked. Samos and I could hear them as we were only in the next room. We were having tea. Samos told me my teas were simply the best, so he decided to learn himself. Needless to say, his first time…wasn't exactly the best.
"Not really...sorta." Kiera shook her head, "….Sometimes…I dream I'm with my parents. How much I love and miss them. We'd play together and go on picnics and go to the beach…I guess…I dream about them so much that maybe it does feel real sometimes. I'm not saying Samos is bad, it's just…I don't know if I'll ever call him "daddy. It's so hard. I miss mom and dad."
"…Regardless of that, Mr. Samos is doing a great job with you." Jak smiled, "Someday, you'll call him "daddy."
"….Yea, he's fine." Kiera sighed, unbelieving in Jak's word.

Samos listened with a batch of mixed feelings in his face. Sorrow that Kiera has yet to call him "father", let alone, "daddy", but happy that at least she appreciates him. I gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"I know she'll call me "daddy' or "father" or such and such." Samos would say, "I have seen it. Although I still cannot believe that Daxter was a precursian before."
"Was?"
"It's a long story…" Samos placed a hand to his cheek as he rested his elbow on the table.
"Why do you ask?" Kiera asked.
"Because…I had a dream that felt…so real…it's like I was there." Jak sighed, staring at the ceiling, "It was…beautiful."
"What was the dream about?" Kiera asked with fascination in her eyes.
"I was in a palace, the most elegant palace I've ever seen, but then again, it might have been the only one I've seen, even if it was a dream." Jak started, "I saw people in beautiful outfits. The men had on colorful overcoats. Ascots scarves graced their necks and they had pocket watches inside their jacket. They had pants that reached down to just below their knees. The rest are covered in white socks and black shoes. Nice shoes, too."
"Wow." Kiera gasped.
"The women had on exotic dresses of different color and fashion. Some were sleeveless, some were loose, others were tight. Their hairs were tied in impossible fashions only a woman could pull off. Even the children were beautiful. A lot of their faces were white."
"White, why?" Kiera asked.
"Fashion of the rich, Kiera. Fashion of the rich. It's white powder." Jak smiled, "After we see the people, there are two others sitting on thrones. A king and his queen. There are two guards next to them, donned in red armor. They looked scary, yet you felt a sense of secure when they were around. The Queen was possibly the most beautiful lady I have ever seen. Lavender hair up and tied in a giant bun. Green eyes that sparkle whenever the light touches it. She wore a lovely lavender dress, too. The King had brown hair with bang and his face, well, it was shaggy. He had the shaggiest beard ever, yet he retained his elegance. He wore a lot of blue, but he had on a red cape, a rather long red cape. The most interesting feature was an orange pendent around his neck…it felt…magically."
"Wow, and you dreamt all this?" Kiera gasped. Jak nodded.
"There was anther brown haired man with a brown beard there, too. He was sulking in the corner for some reason. His reasons and intentions seemed…evil. Misplaced, unknown…mysterious. He was planning something, but I don't know what. He was talking to someone…then the next thing I knew, the beautiful, elegant party…it turned into a disaster…"
"…What happen?" Kiera asked.
"…Creatures…monsters came…most of them were blue. They came in all sizes, but all of them had a golden gem on their head…they attacked the palace…and then…I woke up." Jak ended his story.
"Wow." Kiera gasped, shocked at the terrible nightmare.
"It was weird…I truly felt like I was there." Jak spoke, "…I felt the people speaking and laughing, I felt the King and Queen holding me tight…like they were my parents…and I felt the pain and devastation of the metal heads."
"….Oh…well, I don't know what "devastation" means, but maybe you dreamt of your mom and dad." Kiera answered, "I heard kids like us dream of our parents or our ideal parents when we don't have any."
"I…suppose." Jak sighed.

I looked at Samos who gave the palest face I've ever seen him with.
I took Jak home and put him to bed, then spoke with Samos outside, who was staring at the night sky.
"Samos…" I started.
"He's remembering…" Samos sighed, "…Slowly, but surely, he is."
I just stared at him.

………………

Haven Palace Tower Support
Month 11: Numoria, Day 1 (Fall Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)

As the raindrops got heavier and more frequent, Jak tighten his grip on his overcoat, groaning in frustration. The high tower balcony leading to the Haven palace was filled with weapons responded to shot when someone nears, giant blades touched with electric shocks, and floors that fell upon contact, among others. It was obviously the palace was heavily secured incase a murdered or any form of criminal made their way to the palace walls. This easily garnered a frustrating tone from Jak. Daxter didn't help any.

"WHOA! We gotta cross all that!" He squeaked, "Uhh…ya know what Jak? I think I'll just stay here. You go ahead, I'll wait up."
Jak promptly grabbed Daxter harshly and place him on his shoulder.
"Oh, fine!" He cried out, "But I'm keeping my eyes close until we're across."
"Fine, whatever." Jak muttered, a bit annoyed as he started the trek across. Each of the obstacles would have been generally easy for the agile Jak, but the fact that he was still a bit sick, and thusly dizzy, and that some of the traps were unpredictable didn't elevate Jak's spirit. Daxter only helped further the annoyance.
"Are we there yet?" He asked. The little Ottsel had his eyes close in fear.
"No." Was Jak's response.
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
"Are we there yet?"
"No"
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
"Are we there yet?"
"NO!"
"….Are we there-"
"DAXTER, I'LL TELL YOU WHEN WE'RE THERE!" Daxter was quiet afterwards. The trio continued their journey across. The three were miserable, tired, hungry, and wet, of course. It took a nice hour or so to walk across (running would not be a good idea, especially in the rain), until they reached the top surface of the palace. Like almost every part of the city, the top surface was gray and dull.

"Gosh, the Baron sure loves to keep his place all happy." Daxter sarcastically replied.

Jak observed the surroundings around him. Gray….gray…gray…everything was nothing but gray. Jak was more then relieved when he saw several gardens. He also noticed the very middle of the city which, on the very top held a beautiful dragon statue. With wings that spread massively and its mouth wide open, ready to attack, it was like it was protecting the palace from invaders. Heh. The dragon was surrounding a pointy pole which went further up from the dragon and housed the Baron's signature flag. Among others, there were numerous windows and high towers. Most of the lights inside the palace were off, making it seem abandoned. There was a large area where several winged vehicles stood proudly, fences upon fences, and most importantly, several Krimzon Guards patrolling the area. The rain didn't help matters.

"We need to get inside or we'll freeze." Jak shivered, white smokes coming out of his mouth.
"Where?" Daxter groaned, "I don't see a friggin' door anywhere!"
"Puar…" Jak stared at the small COMP.
"On it!" And Puar went on to search for a map of the palace. Jak sighed as he sat down on a random metal surface of the palace, with hope no Krimzon Guard would venture their way. While Jak merely stared at the cloudy sky, Daxter searched around the palace; a large glass roof caught his eyes. Daxter moved over to it, looked down and gasped. Jak, seeing his ottsel buddy, went over as well. He, too gasped. Down below them was the view to the main throne room. Normally empty at this time, it was now inhabited by Baron Praxis and Erol. They were talking to a giant hologram…a face all too familiar to Jak. Puar, too, came to look over as well.

"I've told you, I'll have more eco by week's end. We'll transport it directly to your nest, as promised!" The trio heard the Baron speak.
"A deal is of no value if you can't deliver, my dear Baron." The giant, clear colored hologram spoke, and then he got angrier, "I grew impatient with your puny gestures. Give me the agreed upon eco soon, or the deal is off, and your precious city will pay the price!" The hologram disappeared afterwards. Erol, watching far more closely then Praxis, raised his fist up and growled.
"He's toying with us! Let me lead an assault on the Nest before it's too late! I can take him!" The Baron could see the anxiousness in the young soldier's topaz eyes, but he shook his head.
"Patience, commander. No one has ever penetrated the Metal Head Nest. You know that! I've seen what comes of such foolish plans." Praxis placed a hand on his forehead as if he suffered the worse headache in his life, though one might wonder if he has with all that has been going around. Erol watched the old man as he walked over to the giant glass pane. The rain covered every speck of it. Praxis placed a hand on it and stared at the gloomy city before him. He closed his eyes for a good few seconds, pondering, and then opened them.
"No! Strength is their weakness... We play helpless... We train them to eat from our hands, and then...Praxis remained silent for a few seconds, "Move forward with the plan! Tell Ashelin to up her patrols. I want that Tomb found!"
"But your daughter has not been... agreeable." Erol bowed, "I've been hearing rumors that she works for the Underground."
Praxis remained silent, as if two things could occur form this: he either thought of the possibility of his daughter doing such a thing or that he already knew that Ashelin is in the underground.
"Why do you not arrest her?" Erol gasped, "I can do it for you!"
"No." Praxis shook his head, "Ashelin is a good girl. Whether she may be working on the wrong side or not, she loves her daddy very much. You of all people should know that. A few good manipulation and reverse psychology and she'll be on my side. She's strong, but her mind is weak when I am with her. She loves me too much." Praxis laughed evilly, "She'll return back in my arms…like she did back when she was my little flower…just like her mother…" Jak gasped, stunned at what he heard.
"Ashelin is the Baron's daughter?" Jak grew pale. Is what Praxis said true? And if so, can she really be manipulated? Ashelin, despite their short meetings here and there, never seemed the type.
"….." Erol's face was down. He seemed…upset, almost looking like he would cry. Jak was perplexed by Erol's sadden look. Was he sad that he wouldn't be able to punish her?
"….You favor her so much." Erol spoke softly, "…She rebels against you…yet you love her…so much. She was…always the favorite in your family. I work hard for you…you know."

Praxis turned and faced Erol. The big, armor cladd-ed man came to the small, scrawny young man.

"I don't care if it is public or private, but NEVER talk off the family that way!" Praxis hissed, grabbing onto Erol's sleeve "You poor excuse of a…sigh…You're only 21...you're young and naïve…though I wonder WHEN you will ever learn to grow up and get your act together! Stop holding so much grudge that isn't of importance. "
"I…" Erol gasped in shock.
"And find that child! If you'd spend half as much time looking for that little brat as you spend flirting with that mechanic girl, we would have pinned his royal ass to a wall long ago." Praxis shouted, "That child is IMPORTANT! He is the key!"
"I know." Erol shouted in a frustrated matter, having heard Praxis speak of this numerous times.
"That child is the cause of all this." Praxis sighed, "If he was never born, my life would have been a lot easier."
"…Why don't you just kill him!" Erol shouted, rather regrettably for some odd reason.
"He's the KEY!" Praxis screeched, "He's my ticket to world domination and the end of the Metal Heads. The child has a gift that no other members of the royal family possess. Once the child has done his deed, I will try and obtain that raw power."
"Power?" Daxter gasped, "Is he talking about the kid's magical abilities?"
"I…don't know." Jak spoke, obsessed at the scene unfolding before him. Afterwards, Daxter starting to sniff his nose. A sneeze was coming.
"Well, don't stand there, twiddling your thumb, you skinny little ass, get moving!" Praxis shouted, "Fail and it's ANOTHER beating from me!"
"As you wish. With enough persuasion, I'm sure our spy will…" Erol nodded, regaining his eerie confidence back. Before he could finish any further, Daxter's sneeze came through, his snot landing on the glass pane.
"What was that!" Erol took out his gun. By the time he faced the ceiling glass pane, Jak had hidden nearby, holding Daxter's mouth with his hand. He glared at Daxter who smiled through muffled hands. Erol placed his gun back in his holster, bowed at Praxis, and left. The Baron stared out the night sky a bit longer. Jak, sighing, left the glass pane.

He walked for a while, the rain pouring heavily. Everything was silent except for the raindrops.
"DING! DING! DING!" Puar shouted, "I found the nearest entrance!" Jak and Daxter both screamed.
"QUIET!" Daxter shouted, "You're trying to get us killed?"
"Both of you, hush!" Jak whispered loudly, "Puar, QUIETLY tell us where the nearest entrance is."
"Just north of here, follow me!" Puar spoke, rather loudly to boot. Jak groaned.
The two weren't aware that the nearest entrance was long way to walk.
"I can't believe Ashelin is his daughter!" Daxter gasped, "…She definitely must have gotten her looks from her mother. Praxis is a horrible father."
"But he still loves her." Puar spoke softly (surprise, surprise), "He's just corrupted."
"How?" Jak asked, "How did he become corrupt?"
"I don't know." Puar sighed, "That's not stored in my memory bank. I used to have it, but I believe Praxis might have taken that memory data out as well as anything I have recorded that involved him before I escaped with Torn 3 years back."
"You lived in the palace, too?" Daxter asked.
"Yes." Puar nodded, "I may be with Torn a lot, but I belong to the royal family. I have the most intelligence and memory data out of all the COMPS; it's any I belong with the royal family."
"And you have emotions. Other COMPS don't see to have that." Jak observed.
"I love having emotions." Puar nodded her head, "I love to be able to feel. Sure, some feelings hurt, but it's better then feeling nothing!"
"So, who built you?" Jak asked.
"I am not liberate to say." Puar answered, "I was a gift to the royal family, specifically Prince Christof. A friend when needed the most during his lonely times."
"Ooh! Ooh! I bet it was Vin. I mean, he's a super smart guy." Daxter said.
"I am not liberate to say." Puar giggled. Daxter sighed, knowing both he and Jak wouldn't get a straight answer,
"Once we get in the palace, we'll try to find your memory data files." Jak promised, "…Uhh…what do they look like?"
"I'll know when I see them." Puar giggled, "We're almost there." Daxter and Jak grinned, then Jak collapsed a bit. He managed to bump into a wall before he could fall all the way down.
"Jak, you okay?" Daxter gasped.
"Yea." Jak groaned, touching his forehead, "I just tripped."
"Tripped." Daxter didn't buy it, "We have to hurry this up, Jak's fever is returning." Jak sighed.
"I TOLD you to wait until you were fully healed!" Daxter groaned, "You weren't this stubborn back in Sandover."
"Times change." Jak sighed. He got up and shook his head a little before moving on.
"Jak…" Daxter and Puar hesitantly watched as the young blonde rashly went forwards. Daxter, despite his outer appearance, his inner appearance was hurting deep inside. Jak was no longer that sweet boy with a pure heart. Jak was this…this…different person with his body. It hurt Daxter. He didn't wanted this Jak, he wanted Sandover Jak. The Jak who would playfully urge the reluctant Daxter to explore dangerous locations for adventure and explorer's purpose, the same Jak who would quietly go fruit picking up trees, the same Jak who didn't care about revenge at all. That Jak tried to find the good in everyone and always gave them a second chance. Where did he go? And more importantly…will he come back?

"SO, we have a rat up out walls?" Daxter gasped, loosing his train of thought as he, Puar, and Jak were now face-to-face with Baron Praxis. Praxis was donned inside a small red egg-shaped machine powered by a jet pack and designed with multiple tentacles which hung on its bottom.
"Wha-how?" Daxter cried out.
"Security Cameras COMPS, surrounds the palace at all time." Praxis grinned.
"What? I didn't see any-" Jak scoffed.
"They're designed to turn invisible and camouflage with their surroundings, my dear boy." Praxis grinned.
"Oh, yea, I forgot about the security cameras." Puar spoke. Jak and Daxter glared at her, "…Sorry."
"Your kind is NOT allowed to step even a foot near this palace!" Praxis hissed, "You got your filth all over it now!"
"Okay, who votes to run?" Daxter and Puar (her robotic hand stored inside her) quickly raced their hands and was about to run off if not for Jak. Jak stood perfectly still, his face now a full frown. All the painful memories came back…

"Don't worry, this won't hurt…much. Okay, give him his dose."

"Ah….ah…AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Does that hurt, child? Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!
"He should have showed some signs by now…try putting in some more."
"Is this torture device on properly?"
"This pathetic scrawny boy…"
"I don't care if this kills him, keep giving him Dark Eco! I won't FAIL! NOT this time!"
"I shock and probe you and you STILL show nothing! I should kill you right on the spot!"

"…Un-Uncle…"

"Awwwwww, you miss your family? HA! Where you are in, escaping is impossible."

"PLEASE! STOP IT! NO MORE! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! I just wanna go home! I wanna go home!"

"SHUT UP!"

"I WANT TO GO HOME! I want to go back to my uncle…I want to go back to Sandover! I want to go and relax, explore, play…I WANT TO GO HOME! You're HURTING ME! PLEASE! STOP HURTING ME!"

"I SAID, SHUT UP!"

"I just…I just want to go home! PLEASE, mister! I didn't do anything! Don't do this again! DON'T DO THIS! PLEASE! I'm scared! I don't wanna do this anymore! Ah…AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

It pierced his heart deeply. A jagged sword in his heart. Jak, relieving all those repressed memories made him even angrier. Jak screamed at the top of his lungs and took out his guns and started to blindly shoot.
"Oh, crap!" Daxter groaned, "Okay, we're right here for you, Jak!" Daxter's sarcasm was largely ignored as Jak ran from one of Praxis' blasts.
"AHH!" Daxter screamed, "That thing has weapons!"
"Oh, really!" Jak shouted back, shooting, "DIE!"
"That's my line, kiddo!" Praxis screeched before sending down multiple missiles on the smooth black surface. Jak, taking Daxter and Puar dodged them easily. Jak then continued the shootings. Slowly, but surely, the bullets were making dents and holes in the flying vehicle.
"HEY! This cost me THOUSANDS to build!" Praxis cried out.
"Oh, I'm sure you can build more, you rich pig!" Jak cried out, shooting as he did so, now down to only his red scatter gun, "After all, while you live the high life, we get stuck in the bloody dumps, wondering on how to BLOODY survive!"
"I'm protecting my people from the Metal heads and people like YOU!" Praxis hissed.
"The people of the slums are dying and suffering!" Jak debated, "The slum's depression is already infecting the middle class and it's only a matter of time before it reaches the rich folks, even if they deserve it! Soon, everyone in Haven City is going to fight for survival and end up being cannibals or something! Not to mention you hurt me!" He shot a round of bullets as he made that speech.
"I made you into the ultimate being, Jak!" Praxis cried, "You should be thankful!
"Oh, yea, sure I'm thankful! I'm VERY BLOODY THANK FUL!" Jak dodged a wave of bullets, then shot back, "I'm thankful I turn into some…ruddy…evil demon who keeps invading my mind AND body every time I'm bloody pissed off!"
"Uhh…Jak, you're getting kinda angry right now." Daxter gulped.
"If you work for me, we wouldn't have this problem!" Praxis debated, "I could offer you food, money, nice clothes; I could get the best therapists to help you control your dark powers, health insurances. You could even be my son."
"OH, BLOODY HELL, NO!" Jak retorted, "You're a terrible father!" Jak continued to shoot. The baron's flying machine was now on fire. It was at the point where one hit could total it. Praxis growled and sent another wave of missiles. Jak, once again dodged it, but it was getting harder and harder. Between him yelling at Praxis and missile dodging, Jak's headache increased and his temperature was rising. Jak was also down to his last bullets with no more to spare. His green eco first aid kit also was empty. He was a sitting duck. The debate and shooting continued as far as Jak could go. After that, Jak landed on his knees. He was gasping hard.

"JAK!" Daxter gasped. He held onto his best friend as much as he could, "Stay up! You have to stay up!"
"D-Daxter…" Jak gulped back something. Praxis grinned and took this as his advantage.
"One more time, join me and you get the key to true Haven…no pun intended…oppose me and…well…you know what'll happen." Praxis grinned. Jak frowned, making his face even redder.
"SHUT….UP!" Jak cried. The thunderous violet lightning surrounded him. Daxter and Puar gasped. He was turning. Praxis gasped. This was the first time he saw Jak changing to the hell beast he made him. Jak's skin grew lighter, his eyes darker, his teeth into fangs, fingernails to claws. His scream was a roar. Dark Jak lived once more.
Daxter and Puar hid while Dark Jak, without a thought, leaped up and landed on the Baron's machine. The Baron gasped. Dark Jak started to rip apart the machine like it was nothing but cardboard. The machine started to short circuit.
"Malfunction, malfunction." The machine repeated. Praxis, for the first time, in a long time, was scared. He was panicking. He thought he was going to die by falling thousands of feet onto the ground. Dark Jak showed no sign of stopping. Praxis started to stare at the many buttons on his machine and frantically looked for the button he wanted. Dark Jak's roar sent shivers down his spine and sweats down his face. Praxis, finally finding the button he needed, pressed it. The machine gave a large bump, flinging Dark Jak off, making him land on the hard palace rooftops. The machine lost the tentacles, leaving only a small oval-shaped vehicle. Dark Jak slowly reverted to regular Jak. Daxter and Puar quickly ran to him and lifted him up so he was at least sitting down. Then, the three were eye to eye with Praxis.
"The dark powers I gave you can't protect you forever! Since I made you, I can destroy you!" Praxis shouted, then he remained calm, "We'll meet again soon!" Praxis then flew off, obviously changing his mind on wanting to recruit Jak. He has had enough experience to know who wants to be on whose side and whatnot.

"Yea, whatever. Bye! Bye!" Daxter shouted. After they manage to get Jak on his feet, the three ran.

Puar, using her robotic arms kept Jak standing up as he ran in a clumsy manner while Daxter surrounded Jak every so often, incase he fell. Daxter was risking his self by becoming Jak's cushion should he collapse. They manage to reach the stairs. They climbed down a couple of them with Daxter keeping a close eye lest Jak was about to fall off the stairs. As Jak headed down the bottom of the stairs, he landed on the wall. Jak struggled to breathe. He was on his knees.

"Jak." Daxter gasped, "Oh, that dark side of you must've taken a lot of your energy! We have to-"
"Shh!" Puar silenced, "I hear someone." Daxter and Puar peeked over the wall. Jak, eyes half closed also did as well.

It was Erol. They were near a room…Erol's room. He was talking to someone on his COMP, a Krimzon Guard.

"I don't care how you do it, just FIND THE FREAKIN' KID!" Erol shouted, "What the hell does Baron Praxis pay YOU?" The guard gave his promise and left. Erol sighed and groaned in pain. The three "spies" watching saw Erol clutching onto his side waist in pain. Erol had slight tears in his eyes. Erol sighed. Taking off his yellow jumpsuit (his red armor already off) until he was shirtless, it was revealed that Erol was greatly injured.
"Whoa, did he get that from racing?" Daxter gasped, "I mean, we've been hearing he's a good racer and he's in a dangerous track and-"
"The last time Erol got a racing accident was when he was 13, and that was when he was still a beginner racer. He NEVER gets hurt in a race." Puar whispered.
"Krimzon mission, then." Daxter whispered.
"Nada. Hey, they don't call Erol "Yellow Lightning" for nothing, Daxter." Puar sighed.
Jak was now wide eye in shock. Erol had bruises all over his chest and back, all the size of Haven City itself. He had long scars that looked like he was whipped repeatedly. His right arm was bandaged as well as his entire waist. He was greatly hurt. Jak remembered Praxis' word…

"Fail and it's ANOTHER beating from me."

The Baron threatened Erol on beatings…could it be possible ALL those bruises and cuts were from the Baron himself? Jak gasped. Not because he felt pity for Erol (he hated Erol…as far as he was concerned), but because it was surprising. He always assumed Erol and Praxis were on good terms.
Erol sat on the side of his bed, thought for a few seconds, then laid on the bed, curled in a fetal position.
"I hate you…Ashelin." Erol mumbled, his feelings were obviously hurt.
"Jak, we have to get outta here." Daxter gasped. Jak slowly nodded and got up. As he did, Jak groaned loudly. He, too, grabbed onto his waist like Erol did earlier. Erol gasped. He got off his bed, quickly placed his yellow jacket on, zipping it halfway, then ran off to the noise. There, he saw Jak.

"YOU!" Erol cried out, "GUARDS!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Daxter screeched.
Jak ran while Krimzon Guards appeared out of nowhere with Erol following close behind.
"Don't let him escape!" Erol shouted.
The twisty hallways of the palace wasn't giving Jak much of a advantage of dodging bullets so easily, but luckily, the guards were in packs, making them harder to catch up to him due to the narrowness of the hallways.
"Puar, map!" Daxter shouted.
"I'm looking!" Puar cried.
"Can't you look faster?" Daxter shouted.
"Hey, I have LOTS of maps with me, this will take time!" Puar screeched, "Oooh, I should really alphabetize these!" Jak, however, didn't pay attention. He ran, dodging bullets and entering hallways and doors like a pro. It was as if he knew where to go. And truth be told, they found a way out with no dead ends blocking them.
"Jak…how did you know the way out so fast!" Puar gasped, "It's like you've lived here all your life."
Jak didn't have time to answer as the guards were closing in. They couldn't see from where they were, but their bullets were a different story, reaching them still. Jak ran as best as he could, near the front gates out of the palace until a bullet bit him in the arm.
"AHH!" Jak shouted. He fell straight down. Daxter and Puar quickly tried to get him up again. Daxter then scrambled to the front gates and tried to open it. Locked. He panicked, and then ran back to Jak again.

His hair was a mess, his face was covered with black dirt, his clothes were wet, soggy, and ripped, along with numerous cuts on his body. On top of that, his face was rosy red. His breathing was troubling. The fever was coming back all over again. Walking in the rain, fighting the Baron, turning into Dark Jak, and now this…Krimzon Guards and a bleeding arm. Jak's stress level was pretty damn high and unless a miracle occurred, he was done for.
"JAK! GET UP! GET UP!" Daxter cried out, Puar also urging him. Jak was delirious. He couldn't hear anything. He did manage to mutter a whisper.
"…Help…me…"

…………………

His mediating broke as he gasped at Jak's word. His eyes were wide open. He stood up.
"Your majesty, are you okay?" Tess asked.
"Mr. Jak's in trouble!" The kid gasped, barely able to hold his breathe.

…………………

"Help…me…" The words echoed in his head. Everything felt slow-mo. The guards slowly coming down the stairs, Daxter and Puar yelling at him to get up, Erol shouting from above…Jak's eyes were near closed, but wide enough to see that the half the orange pendent around his neck started to glow. Small at first, the glimmer grew brighter and brighter until everything was surrounded by light.
Erol and his men were downstairs to find nothing. Nothing but a puddle of blood on the already red carpet.
"What th-!" Erol gasped. Were they too late? Did they escape? The front gates were locked, he was so sure. Erol groaned in frustration as he threw his gun on the floor.

Unknown
Month 11: Numoria, Day 1 (Fall Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)

"WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOA!" Daxter screamed as he, Puar, and Jak fell down, "OOF!" Daxter groaned and panted in exhaustion. He coughed up dust from his face and spat them out.
"Ooh." Puar shook herself, "That was some ride! After that white light, everything went all fast and wonky!"
"Ooh, where are we?" Daxter grabbed his head, "…Jak. JAK!" He raced to his friend who was on the dusty ground. Jak woke up from Daxter's cries.
"Jak, you okay?" Daxter asked, concerned. Jak stood up and nodded slowly. Daxter and Puar helped him up; his back lied against a wall.
"Where are we?" Jak mumbled, trying to get his focus back. Daxter observed the surroundings. Dusty, dark, and brown, they were in a round, almost claustrophobic place. Full of old books and other antiques covered in dust, derived, dried plants, and spider webs everywhere, they were in a small hut.
"We're in…Dead Town." Puar said.
"Wait, Dead…Town!" Daxter gasped, "DEAD TOWN? Are you sure ABOUT THAT?"
"Pretty sure." Puar nodded.
"How did we get from the palace to DEAD TOWN!" Daxter clutched his head, and then he stopped. He turned around and eyed the pendent Jak had on. The ottsel gasped, ran to Jak, and then eyed it.
"What did you SAY, Jak!" Daxter cried out.
"I asked for…help." Jak whispered, clutching onto his arm to stop the bleeding. The three were in confusion, but they seem to have theorized that the pendent caused them to enter here.
"But, why here of all places? Jak asked, "I thought it would take us back to headquarters."
"I don't know, Jak, but this place does have a familiar ring to it." Daxter pondered, "Where have I seen that plant before?" Jak slowly stood up, rubbing his forehead with his head, then quickly held his injured arm again. Daxter, arms crossed, face frowning, eyed Jak.
"You look like a terrible mess!" Daxter cried out, "You TRYING to be a hobo?"
"Daxter, not so bleedin' loud." Jak sighed, "I'm fine."
"It's ALWAYS "I'm fine." Daxter sarcastically shouted, "Well, guess what! You're NOT fine! You're sick, you're a mess, you need rest! And I MEAN IT! We're going back to headquarters and we're going to put you in bed and you're gonna sleep until you're BETTER! NO COMPLAINTS! Let's GO!" Jak was instantly shocked at Daxter. He never did anything like this before. Yes, as a joke, but this time, the little Ottsel was serious. Seeing as he was too dizzy to argue, Jak nodded and left.The three were out when they noticed they were pretty high up.
"Wow." Puar sighed, "We're on one of the highest point of Dead Town." Puar nodded, "I noticed because of the shape of this hut. It's different from most of the others." Jak and Daxter slowly nodded and stared at the hut, turned to walk down, stopped, and stared at it again, gasping.
"Is that... Is that... No, it couldn't be... that's not…" Daxter gasped, pointing to the hut with a shaky paw.
"It's Samos's Hut." Jak gasped, wide eyed, forgetting that he was very ill.
"But... What?... How?... When?... Where?... Why!" Daxter continued, "Puar…Wha-What happen to this village!"
"Rumors said the Metal Heads did this." Puar answered, "No given records."
"WHEN?" Daxter shouted, trying hard not to vomit.
"Around the time Haven City was being built, some 300 something years ago." Puar answered.

Jak and Daxter both gasped, their mouths wide open.

"Oh, my…"Daxter could barely speak.
"Are you okay?" Puar asked then two,
"…Daxter…we're…we're in the future!" Jak gasped, "…This HORRIBLE place…is our world…"
And after that, Jak promptly fell unconscious, his fever at it's highest point yet.
To Be Continued…