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.

21. ACT 3: Rescue

Jak II Chronicles
Part 3: The Future Awaits
Chapter 21: Rescue

"How do you feel?"
"Huh?"
"I said how do you feel?"
"….Old."
I laughed, "You just turned 15, you cannot possibly feel old, especially compare to me."
"I'm…15."
"What is so wrong, my dearest boy?"
"…I don't know."

He was lying on his back on his bed, eyes wide open.

"I don't know what's wrong with me…I just…have a terribly different feeling inside me…I don't know why."
"My dear nephew, you know you can tell me anything. Anything at all."
"….Okay."
"Do speak."
"…I can hear voices."

………………………

Underground HQ
Month 1: Januria, Day 13 (Winter Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)

The walk home to the main headquarters was an uneasy route to take. Every step Jak felt himself walking on hot needles. His feelings for the small boy and his friends, all taken by the Baron, weigh heavily in his heart. Despite the hell he has suffered for the past two years, the people of the underground became his greatest friends. He didn't want to be alone and scared, like he was back in prison. He needed people. Jak and his animal cohorts made their way inside, hoping there were some members that weren't kidnapped by the Baron. Jak was happy to see most of the underground members were safe, yet their hearts looked broken. Perhaps they already got the news.

"Jak, you're safe!" came one of them, "I thought the Baron took you, too."
"No, I'm okay but Kor and Samos…oh, the kid…Tess, they're all taken! Torn, too!" Jak cried.
"Torn is fine, he's right back in here, back in his office actually." came a female member.
"What, Torn's fine?" Jak gasped.
"Yes, but because of him, we can't do this anymore." Another member spoke, "We can't rebel."
"What do you mean?" Jak asked with great concern.
"Ask Torn."

Jak groaned, and then went inside his office where Torn sat on the edge of a box, head down, covered by his face, obviously racked with guilt.
"….Torn?" Jak softly asked, like a concerned mother. No response.
"Torn?" Jak asked again, a bit harsher this time, "What happen? Please tell me what happen?" Torn refuse to speak. He still kept his face low, almost like he was embarrassed to even see Jak's face.
"What happen? Where are the others, Where is the kid?" Jak's voice rose, "How did the Baron know we were making a close move to the Stone! HOW DID THE BARON GET IN THE TOMB OF MAR? HOW?"
"………………It's my fault." Jak, Daxter, and Ani all stared at the older comrade; face still down, with shock and concern.
"The Baron threatened to kill Ashelin for spying. His own daughter!" Torn answered, "I couldn't risk that, even for the Underground."
"Right! Very good thinking... except Praxis has the Precursor Stone now, so he can do whatever he wants!" Daxter shouted, "Thanks for nothing!"
"And he forced the kid to open the tomb or at least the best he could or he'd threaten to kill you and those he loved immediately, in front of him." Torn added.
"You really care about her, don't you?" Jak asked, still thinking of Torn's comment on Ashelin. That made Torn lift his head up and stare at the younger precursian.
"You two argue a lot, but you get along so well…I think it's just more then friendship I see in your eyes." Torn couldn't accomplish any idea of what to say back.
"Does Baron Praxis know where the headquarters is?" Jak asked.
"Yes." Torn responded, "Ashelin…I've know her since her last year in High School. I was still a low-leveled KG at that point. The two of us argued so much back then. We practically killed each other with our glares alone. We were young back then. We still argued from time to time, but our friendship is close."
"When did you tell Praxis of our plans?" Daxter asked.
"Recently." Torn answered, "He manage to catch me during one of my missions and told me of the plans involving the Precursor Stone, the whens and hows…if I didn't, Ashelin would die. He wasn't bluffing; he'd really kill his daughter."
"Are you sure he wasn't lying?" Daxter asked.
"No…he even beats up his own son." Torn sighed.
"Son?" Both Jak and Daxter cried.
"Praxis has a…son?" Daxter gasped, "How come we've never seen him?"
"…Erol." Jak mumbled slowly.
"What?" Daxter came.
"Praxis' son is Erol." Jak eyed Daxter, "Remember when we were infiltrating Haven Palace? Praxis threatened to beat Erol."
"…Erol…Praxis' son? Makes sense." Daxter shrugged.
"Yea." Torn nodded, "He also told me to stop my rebellion or else…so I ordered the others the same."
"Torn, you can't do that! You can't let Praxis win!" Jak cried, "What about the other underground members in other parts of the city!"
"We really can't do much without Samos!" Torn shouted.
"Torn, I know you care about Ashelin, but we have to save the others!" Jak cried, "I'm sick and tired of losing members and friends! I don't want to lose anymore! I don't! I can't afford to lose anyone anymore!"

A silence fell between the two precursians.

"Please, Torn…I know you know where they are. There is a way, right?"
"There is…a way to get our friends back and maybe the Precursor Stone as well. I'll find Vin. Go to the fortress, and we'll call you. They're located in there." Torn sighed. Jak smiled.
"Can you be trusted?" Daxter popped in, but Jak hushed him up.
"It'll be a tough ride through the fortress, probably suicide."
"Two years in that place, Torn…and several missions, I'm practically immune to that place." Jak kept smiling, "You just get that door open! I'll be there!" Torn let off a small grin.
"Is Puar here? We could use her." Jak asked.
"No, she's with the kid." Torn said.
"Hmm…maybe it's for the best. At least in private, he'll have someone to talk to." Jak said, "I better go."
And with that, Jak made his way, no further question. Daxter and Ani followed close by. Torn watched the three. Jak was different then anyone he has ever seen.

……………………

The fortress once again brought bad memories to Jak, but his determination to rescue his friends wouldn't stop him from fearing it. Inside, Jak made his way around. Being in here for years made him know all the locations by heart.
"If I know my prison…then they'll be locked in the prison cells located in the lab room." Jak spoke as he ran, "…Problem is…there's five lab rooms…"
"Oh, great." Daxter groaned. He groaned even louder when they reached the five doors to the lab room.
"Okay, Ani, take one side, Daxter another, I'll try this one. Keep rotating till you find them!" And the three spread. They cried out for their friends' names. Cries for Tess, Samos, Kor, Kid.

"Tess? Tess? TESSSS?" Daxter cried.
"Is Tess the only one you're calling?" Daxter spun his head to see Ani following him.
"Hey, check your own prison cell!" He cried out.
"I already did, so I'm going to the other side, I just happen to be coming in your direction, is all." Ani spoke. Daxter sighed.
"I can't help it if I keep calling Tess, she remains me of this girl I had a crush on back home in Sandover." Daxter continued.
"I see." Ani nodded.
"She had the most softest golden blonde hair ever with big, blue eyes." Daxter spoke in a dream-like fashion, "She was taller then me, but I love tall women. She had legs that could reach the skies! And her voice… (sigh)…gosh, can she sing with that voice."
"She sounds beautiful." Ani spoke in a rather sad voice, "…I've always wondered what it's like to be beautiful."
"What? What are you saying? That you're not beautiful?" Daxter stared at Ani, rather in a disgusted tone that she'd call herself ugly.
"Aww, come on, I have a big nose and this big tuff of brown hair that I can't even comb down." Ani spoke, "You really shouldn't say that to yourself." Daxter came in, "I mean, when I was a precursian, I had buck teeth and I was short for my age, so it's plain obvious the people teased me because of that, but I don't care about looks, I can be myself! I'm suave as far as I'm concerned."
"I kind of wish I had your confidence." Ani smiled slightly.
"I think you do, you just have to show it more." Daxter praised. The two remained silent as they walked together, "All that joke about me calling you ugly was just a joke, nothing more. Just to throw you off." Ani made a decent enough smile.
"So…did she ever like you back?" Ani asked.
"Nah, I asked her to the Fall Festival as my date and she rejected me in front of everyone." Daxter shook his head, "Most embarrassing moment of my life…and I've done some embarrassing things., but ya know, I hid it inside and pretended I didn't care"
"Oh, I'm sorry." Ani sincerely spoke.
"It's cool. I've liked her since I was a small kid…I wanted to impress her…I knew I wasn't going to impress her physically, so…I became a joker, someone to make people laugh. I made up tall tales, hoping I'd at least impress her."
"So, that's how you came to be as of today, interesting." Ani smiled, "All for a girl, and yet you still got dumped. That's depressing."
"Yea…But, I have someone who appreciates me for who I am…even if I do say some pretty tall tales to her." Daxter sheepishly smiled.
"You know she's faking her amusement for them." Ani sighed.
"Really?" Daxter gasped.
"Eh, maybe. She can be gullible at times." Ani sighed.
"Well, Tess is unlike any other." Daxter placed both his hands on his heart, "I think I'm in love!"
"You think?" Ani asked.
"Well…I don't know, maybe. I like her, more then all the other ladies I've seen in my life time." Daxter smiled sheepishly again, his voice speaking in a sincere tone. Ani laughed a little and Daxter proceeded to yell for, "Tess" again, expecting the same silence, except he didn't hear silence, he heard a voice.

"Daxter?"
"TESS!" That's beautiful, angelic, harmony-filled is Tess' voice!" Daxter shouted, "Jak, I found them!"
And soon, the young precursian ran to Daxter and Ani. Daxter pointed to Tess' voice who was yelling out Daxter's name.
"Tess, hang in there, we'll get you out!" Jak, knowing his way around the prison found the switch to open all prison cells. Daxter made his way to Tess' the moment he saw that blonde hair shining beneath the giant wave of grays and greens in the prison cell.
"Hey there sweetheart! The Metal Head masher has saved the day!" Daxter flashed his cheeky grin, "Oh, and I let Jak tag along too."
"Oh, my little hero!" Tess immediately ran up and hugged the living daylights out of the ottsel.

Jak sighed and noticed Young Samos and Kor brushing himself off.
"Samos, are you alright?" Jak asked.
"What took you so long? I added six rings to my trunk waiting for you two to get me outta here!" Jak let out a small yelp as a familiar voice came from behind. It was Samos…the old one, the one Jak and Daxter knew back in Sandover.
"What th-? Daxter cried.
"Samos?" Jak squeaked. He didn't get much to say, he was too busy catching his breathe, not to mention old Samos interrupted.
"Great Yakow horns! What happened to you Jak?" Samos came close to him, "You look like you've been through hell!"
"Wait a minute! You're you! I mean the other you! I mean... you know what I mean." Daxter pointed to the two Samos, "What's happening?"
"I'm confused, Daxter, what's going on?" Tess gasped.
"Yes, it appears I have an older time twin." Young Samos came to his older counterpart, his contented face suddenly turned to disgust, "Great grass grubs. I can't believe what a cranky old log I've become!"
"Do you really think this is important right now?" Kor interrupted.
"Two Samos the Sages! Aaack, Jak, they're multiplying!" Daxter blatantly ignored Kor and raced behind Jak's legs.
"We need to find the kid, pronto!" Old Samos quickly spoke.
"What are you talking about, old growth? The kid already opened the tomb. Our top priority should be to disrupt the Baron's forces!" Young Samos confronted.
"Oh, look who thinks they sprouted! If you were half as wise as I am, you'd know that the proper cause of action is to find the kid!"
"Listen, you old dried up leaf. I run this outfit, and I say we go after the Baron's forces. "
"Do we have to separate you two?" Daxter got in between the two.
"WAIT!" Jak finally manage to speak, "You mean the kid isn't with you?"
"…No." Both Samos said.
"….Where is he?" Jak asked, fearing the worse.
"The baron took him." Kor answered, "We were already in the prison cells as we watched him practically being dragged away. Puar's with him, safely inside his pocket."
"He was taken to the palace." Tess continued, "Jak, I'm sorry."

Jak just about lost all his breathe this time as he got on his knees in shame.

"…I vow to protect him and…and the Baron took him." Jak muttered slowly, "…The Baron…he's going to do terrible things with him!"
"Maybe he won't!" Daxter cried, "Maybe he'll be spared?" Failed attempt to make Jak feel better.
"It is true; the Baron will not kill the child yet." Kor spoke "The child is the only one who can open the Precursor Stone. He'll try to persuade the child to open it."
"…What if he refuses?" Jak asked.
"I'm not too sure." Kor shrugged, then kneeled down, "But have faith, the child is more clever then you think, remember?"
"Jak…" Old Samos kneeled down as well.
"Yea…" Jak nodded, "He'll be fine…but I'm going to find him, I will!" Jak got up, he knew better then to lose faith on the boy and he knew better then to mope around. A low humming noise was now heard. Jak noticed the warp gate was now active.
"Vin's activating the Warp Gate. We need to get out of here now!" Jak snap to. They all raced towards the warp gate and escaped back to the secret HQ.

…………………

Once inside, the other underground members were all too shocked at the older Samos to praise Jak's rescue mission. When they started making jokes of Old Samos on his age, he immediately used his magic and sent them flying a few feet, obviously pissed. The main heroes went inside Torn's officer where he, too was surprised at older Samos. Jak knew he had to tell Torn who he truly was and so he told. After about an hour of nonstop talking, Torn sat on his usual spot and stared at Jak as if he was a ghost in his eyes.

"You're…from the past…over 300 years…from the past." Torn gasped.
"Yes." Jak nodded, "Hard to believe, but I come from the past."
"And old Samos is…also from the past…but the younger one is in the…future…how?" Torn pointed to the two sages.
"Obviously my younger half went into the past." Old Samos sighed, rolling his eyes.
"But why would he do that?" Tess asked.
"You'll see." Old Samos spoke, "It's not too good to speak of one's future."
"So, the kid isn't with you." Torn came.
"He's with the Baron." Jak muttered slowly. Torn eyed Jak who tried to avoid Torn's gaze. He came close to Jak and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll get him back." Torn grinned, then went out to the main area and spoke to the other members.
"I don't care WHAT Praxis said, I'm not going to stop rebelling or fighting for what's right!" Torn cried, "We'll save Ashelin, we'll save the kid, we'll save this city…we'll save the entire kingdom, damn it! I don't care! We'll save it all!" And out came the cheers of the members, happy to be back in the action.
"I taught that boy well." Young Samos crossed his arms. Old Samos just sighed.
"Well, where do I sleep?" he asked.

The night passed as Jak fluffed his pillow to go to bed. He grew worried for the child, but he knew he'd be alright. Jak crawled into his bed covers and stared at his half of the pendent. He held it tight, it felt warm.
"Kid…you hang in there…I'll hang in there, too." Jak mumbled, tired. He kept the pendent tight in his hand as he slept.

…………………

Haven Palace
Month 1: Januria, Day 13 (Winter Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)

"Now, child…I'm asking you nicely…open the precursor stone and I won't have to skin you." Praxis forced a smile.
"No, I rather not, Uncle Praxis." The kid shook his head. The two were in the child's room. The kid was more then happy to see his room again. He was happy to be back in the palace, yet he knew it wasn't quite home. It was empty and drab when Praxis took over. The familiar look and smell of home was no longer there.
"DAMN IT, I keep ASKING you nicely!" Praxis shouted.
"Then keep asking, I will still say "no!" The kid crossed his arms, "Now if you excuse me, it is pass my bedtime, I would like to sleep!" Praxis growled and left the child alone.
"Why don't you just kill him?" Erol asked, who was watching from afar. Praxis stared at the skinny redhead.
"My machine to crack open the precursor Stone isn't done yet, that Krew is a slow ass glutton who's probably stuffing his face right now!" Praxis sighed, "And unless it's fixed, there is no other method to open the stone other then asking the kid!"
"Then persuade him!" Erol shouted.
"Tried that." Praxis sighed, "He seems resilient at the moment."
"He seems connected to Bannon." Erol had his arms crossed, "I've seen the two together at times."
"I know, but that kid is like a roadrunner." Praxis sighed, "Difficult to catch." Erol sighed and tried to talk again.
"Not another word, you can't afford anymore beatings." Praxis stared at his so-called son, "You should be training for the next race taking place in spring. Only got a couple of months left." Praxis left.
"Yea." Erol nodded in disappointed, "But you don't even praise me for being the best except in public. You don't treat me like a son…no matter what I do for you. Yet…I still want to please you. Why do you always take Ashelin's side? Why my older sister?" Erol walked away.
The child was eavesdropping all this, horrid of hearing that the stone would be cracked open of Krew's machine were to be complete. And Erol being beaten. The child knew Praxis ignored Erol often, but beating? The child sighed and stared at his pendent half. Then Puar leaped put of his pocket.
"Times are getting desperate." The kid spoke to Puar.
"All will be alright. In time, your majesty." Puar sincerely spoke, "Have faith." The kid nodded and starred out the window.
"Stay strong, Jak." The kid whispered.
To Be Continued…