Chapter IX: Back to Haven City

LES: Super short chapter. But it doesn't matter since I uploaded this story all at once. This is the product of a mistake when I was typing it out. Thought I had forgotten to end the last chapter, but I write this one and find out I did end it at the right spot. Oh well, you guys will live.

(Wasteland)

Desert that Jak had nearly died trying to cross at age ten was easily crossable at age twenty. He flew across the scorching sand, back to his home and his destiny…

(Near Haven City)

Jak crushed a dead plant under his boot while looking around in horror. This was not the place of his birth! This was not his Kingdom! Everything was dead, just as Keira had said. The sights, however, were nothing compared to the one he'd see over the next hill. He reached the top and gasped. Haven City was nothing more than a ghost town. Everything was dead and polluted, smoke rose from several places. Jak looked at his old home, the Palace, and was shocked to see it in good condition. Praxis must've spent all of his Eco on himself instead of his people. Jak's face twisted into one that we, the readers, know well. Rage. Jak was about to continue when a voice stopped him.

"Jak! Wait up!" Jak turned around, Keira was walking up. She stopped beside him, looking at the City. "It's awful, isn't it?"

Jak sighed, "I didn't want to believe you."

"What made you decide to come back?" Keira asked.

"I finally got some sense knocked into me. And I've got the bump to prove it." Jak said, remembering how Samos had hit him. "Besides, this is my Kingdom. If I don't fight for it, you will?"

"I will." Keira said.

"It's gonna be dangerous." Jak said.

"Danger? Ha!" Keira said, imitating Jak all those years ago at the Metal-Head Nest. "I laugh in the face of danger! Ha ha ha ha!"

"I see nothing funny about this." Daxter said, riding up on Brutter's shoulder.

"Daxter? Brutter? What are you doing here?" Jak asked.

"At your survive, my liege!" Brutter bowed to Jak, though this time, he didn't kiss Jak's feet.

"Eugh!" Daxter said, looking at the smoking City. "We're gonna fight your Uncle for this?"

"Yes, Dax." Jak said. "This is my home."

"Oh… talk about your 'fixer-upper'" Daxter said. "But, if it's important to you, we're with you to the end!" Daxter bowed to Jak. Jak grinned, glad to have his friend's support. Then all four stood there, on top of the hill, looking down at Haven City. Rain clouds were beginning to gather in the sky.