Chapter Six: Simply a Monster
A new depression had taken over, and it was winning. Life as I knew it would never be the same again. Not until I get rid of these powers, and Vegar. I didn't understand, didn't he learn his lesson? Or was he benefitting from his new found body? Right now I had to find benefit for my friends by running away as far as possible. If I had to, I would kill Vegar myself. Until then, I walk alone...
I'd been running for hours at a time now. Running to the other side of the city, where I knew I was far from the Naughty Ottsel.
I'm alright! You didn't do anything! YOU'RE NOT A MONSTER!
Those were the last words I was to hear from him. You're not a monster... It didn't seem right. If I'm not a monster, then what am I? Why am I like this? Why me? Couldn't Vegar choose another innocent soul? These questions filled my head as I entered the forest. I sprinted to the farside, leaving the industrial life behind me. This was my new home... For now. They would eventually find me. And when they did, I would run. Run like there was no tomorrow.
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away...
Keira, she loves Jak. She doesn't care about his powers. She loves him for who he is...
These weren't my thoughts. Someone was reading my mind. Samos. I spun around to meet the old Green Sage standing in front of his Tree of Life. His staff was pointed at the temple of my head, while his hand was pressed to the temple of his.
"I know that you want them to be together," he said, putting his staff back down to his side.
"Wait, when Daxter said you read my mind, did you tell the others about my thoughts about Jak and Keira?"
"No, my dear child! It's totally confidencial, just like your feelings for Michael."
I felt like dying more than I did before I entered the forest. He knows. "Do you know who did this to me? That bastard Vegar, that's who! I heard him outside that horrible cell. Kleiver's in there too!" He put his hand under his chin, thinking about my past 'adventure'.
"I see, did he say anything else?"
"Only that he was planning to do it to others and that my change is permanent." I looked back down at my tail. "I don't understand, I didn't feel any different when I was in the cell. Then the guards, and Michael! I thought I attacked him! He said... He said I wasn't a monster..." Samos sat beside my resting place on the ground and put his hand on my shoulder. "It's not your fault. Vegar did this. And if we don't stop him now he will ruin other innocent people's lives!" I thought about this for a moment. I'm just a test subject, if I don't do something soon... No, not again. I stood and clenched my fists. They started to bleed. I re-opened them to find small claws at the end of my fingers. And if I don't do something about my own, they'll only get worse.
Without waiting for another wise word from Samos, I ran off in the direction of the gateway. As I ran back through the streets of the chaotic city, Samos spoke to me through my own mind.
You can't walk alone, you need your friends no matter what they think. Haven needs you. Jak needs you. Michael needs you. The world needs you. You musn't run away from your problems. You must face them head on, like Jak. Use your powers for good and we will guide you. Do not be afraid. Do not remain broken. Be strong. Be brave. Be yourself. Do your best and the world will be in good hands. Run to them, run like you've never run before!
Obeying his command, I began to run faster. Suddenly, violet streaks appeared under my feet. As I ran past a street spedometer, it flashed "ninety miles per hour"! I smiled to myself. This might be fun after all. Thanks and no thanks, Vegar. People dodged and jumped out of my way as I literally sped back to the Naughty Ottsel.
I arrived at least one hour earlier than I would've if I had gone at a normal pace. Jak had obviously heard me screach to a halt at the front of the bar. He and the others filed outside with Michael in the very back.
He himself looked different now. His shaggy red hair was pulled back with a pair of fancy goggles. The normal long, baggy jeans that he wore were cut just below his knees. They were also covered in strange belts and buckles. He no longer wore the punk rocker t-shirt he loved dearly. Instead, it was replaced with a red tunic much like Jak's old one. I must say that he looked quite handsome. I just wish that I hadn't said it out loud in an unorthadox manner.
"Sexy, Michael! You must tell me, when and where did you get them?"
He turned red and stepped forward. "Why, I was so happy that you ran away that I decided that it was time to impress other girls! The truth is, I'm not interested in you anymore, not that I ever was!"
"I hate you, Michael!"
"I hate you too, Jordan! Hugs and kisses!" He opened his arms and I willingly stepped into them. Thanks, Samos.
No problem.
"Well, I'm glad you're back, Jord!" I was welcomed back into the bar where drinks and food were prepared for a celebration. Jak held out a bottle that looked like the same drink that I had guzzled down when I first arrived. "Are you sure you don't want one?"
"Can I have one?" Michael asked eagerly.
"Trust me on this, Mike. You don't want one." I rubbed his head and messed up his spiked hair. He hastily stood it back up and smiled. "I'm just glad you came back. I thought you'd never come home again!" Thoughts of my jog through Haven rushed through my head. "You'll never believe it, but I actually ran through Haven at ninety miles per hour!"
"Damn! Now I know I want one of those!" He snatched the bottle from Jak's hand and removed the lid. But I quickly took it away from him. "It wasn't the drink, it was Vegar." Jak froze and stared.
"Are you sure?"
I nodded and began to tell my story. "Yes, I'm sure. You see, I was captured when I thought Keira was in danger." I stopped and turned to the Keira that was alive and well. "Sorry! Michael and I were walking past a deep hole and tripped over it. He was behind me and tried to keep me from falling. Well, he kind of... Grabbed me!" I put my hand over my mouth and looked at the cherry red boy. "I thought we had something special!" I teased, and returned to my explanation.
"Anyway, I got caught trying to start up a speeder."
"Smooth," whispered Daxter.
"Shut up. As I was saying, when I woke up, I had already been tested with Dark Eco! I heard Vegar and some other guard saying that something went wrong and that I wasn't as strong, but the effect was permanent! Vegar had Kleiver arrested and thrown into the cell next to me. I promised him that I would come back and escaped through a vent. When I came out, two guards tried to get me. I lost control..."
I stopped and looked at my feet. "And I attacked them. That's why I ran away, so you guys wouldn't get hurt." Torn rolled his eyes and sneered. "Heh, whatever you have to throw at us, we'll surely kick your ass back!" Suddenly, I felt the urge to tease people that I knew I would have to pay for. "But, Torn, I only did it 'cause, cause... I love you guys!" I lunged out to hug him, but he leaned back like he was scared. Again, Daxter started laughing. However, Jak still looked grave.
"It's okay, Jak! You've done this before. Besides, you have me and Mike!" I pulled him close to where our faces were touching. We both grinned foolishly at him. To my astonishment, he laughed. "You're right! Plus, he's an Ottsel, what's he gonna' do to stop me?"
"Us."
"Right. Well, let's get to work on a plan!" Samos walked in. "Hold up! Our friends just arrived and they're already going on missions and getting captured! Hardly my idea of a good time!" Ashlynn nodded in agreement. "He's right, you two. You should take the day off." Michael and I looked at each other and grinned again. "Do you mind if we explore on our own?" Michael asked, a touch of mischief in his voice. Jak waited a moment, then answered. "I don't see why not. Besides, there's nothing Jordan can't handle right about now!" Michael punched the air as he hopped down from his stool. I followed him out of the bar.
We walked and talked most of the way, ignoring the stares and screams as we strode past houses and restaurants. Somehow we wound up in the old Metal Head Nest beside the forest door. I'd been here once and I didn't like it. I suddenly realized what Michael was up to. "You came here on purpose!" I accused, waving my pointer finger at him. He shrugged and continued to walk towards the nest. "So? Besides, we have your powers! What could go wrong?"
"Everything, Mike! What if I lose control?"
"You won't!"
"What do you want to come here for anyway?"
"I want to see the forest on the other side." A brilliant idea floated around in my head. "We can get there faster if we take a cruiser." He turned around and stared at me. "You know how?"
"Sort of. I started one. It should be easy!"
"Uh, hello! Do you see any joy sticks on these?" He pointed at a nearby two-seated cruiser. I wasn't listening to his rambles, I was already inside the cruiser. He rolled his eyes and climbed into the passenger seat. Once it was started, I didn't know what to do from there. Michael pushed a button and it took off into the air. I held him a thumbs-up, and he winked at me. He pressed another button and the cruiser fell back down. "Well, we know what that does!" He pushed the button that made it go up again and I put my hand on what looked like a throttle. I pushed it forward and the cruiser moved backwards.
"Hold on tight!" I warned. Soon, we were speeding down through the nest. We landed at the ramp leading up to the forest. "Where'd you learn to drive like that?" Mike asked, impressed by my skills. "My dad let me drive when I was seven. I guess I never forgot how." As we entered the forest, I managed to hear him whisper, "Man, wish my dad was that cool..."
I took a deep breath when we were inside. It smells like home...
Jordan! What are you doing!
Samos? Oh no. He was inside my mind again, and I didn't know what to do. Stay right where you are! I panicked. Tugging Michael behind me, I jogged off, making sure that I didn't kill him running like Superman. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing! Just getting a little exercise!"
"But you already ran from here to the bar in less than an hour."
"Just come on! I'll explain when we're on the other side." When we got to the other side, we sat under the Tree of Life. "It's beautiful isn't it?" he said. This was a side of Michael that I'd never seen before. He was so peaceful and forgiving, unlike the Michael that I had met in the sixth grade. I chuckled remembering the good old times. "What?" He smiled and stared at me.
"Remember when you gave me this necklace and got down on your knees and asked me to the Valentine Dance at school?" I held up the necklace. He laughed and sighed. "Those were the good old days! We used to love to draw. I think I've lost my touch! Most of my drawings suck now!" I pulled out my notebook and opened it to a sketch I'd made of Keira. "It's nothing really," I said. "I've done better." We turned to another sketch. This time, it was of Jak. He looked rather handsome standing in the heroic pose I placed him in. Suddenly, Mike got all excited. "Do one of me!" he yelled. He got up and ran over to a rock covered in moss. Stiffling a giggle, I flipped to a clean page and gave him orders for a pose. "Lean back and act like you're sleeping!" He obeyed and did the cutest pose that I'd ever seen.
You really do like him, don't you?
Yes, Samos. I do.
Tell him then!
No way!
What if he feels the same?
What if he doesn't?
You never know. "Jordan?" I snapped back to reality. "You kinda' spaced out there. Something wrong?" I shook my head "no" and he returned to his pose. Thirty minutes later, the picture was done. "Finished!" I looked up from the drawing and nearly choked. There he was, acutally sleeping. A nap doesn't seem so bad right now... I set my notebook down and walk up to him. Awww, how cute!
Tell him.
No! I sat down and rested my head on his shoulder.
You'll never know if you don't ask... I closed my eyes and breathed the words Samos had been begging for. "Michael, I think we're more than just friends, and I don't mean best friends." A smile spread across his face as he sat up to my soft whisper. He yawned and met my eyes. "You do?" I nodded my head and lay it back down on his shoulder. He closed his eyes again and lay down against the rock still smiling. "Me, too," he whispered.
Me three!
Be quiet, Samos... You're ruining it.
