Chapter V: The Legend of the Lost Eco City
LES: The good thing about being a FanFiction writer is that you can add new elements to already great stories. Here is one such element. I've toyed around with the idea of other cities other than Haven or Spargus. So now, along side Haven and Spargus, I added my own City!
You'll need to find all the types of Eco." Grandfather said. "Dark Eco will be the easiest, we can just take a small amount from the City's supply. However, the Eco crystals will be much more difficult. They don't exist in the wild anymore; they've all been mined or destroyed." Grandfather paused. "However, there might be one place on the planet that still possesses a collection of Eco crystals."
"Where?" Mother asked.
"There is a legend…" Grandfather began.
"Not more legends!" I said.
Grandfather continued, "That tells of a City, out in the Wasteland. It is said to be called 'Yuajkuih' which I believe translates to 'Precursa' from the ancient language. These people have lived out in the desert for centuries. Many have gone out to find them, but none have returned."
"What's this 'City' like?" I asked.
"As you know, there are two known major Kingdoms on this planet. Haven Kingdom, the smaller that is famous for its technology. And the other Kingdom, Spargus, the larger because it controls the Wasteland, values strength and survival above all else." Grandfather said. "The people of Spargus are legendary warriors, there are no stronger elves on the planet."
"I came from Spargus, cherry." Another man named Sig who was a friend of the family said. He just loved to call people things like 'cherry' or 'chill pepper.'
"Yes, however, Precursa is not a physically strong nation, nor is it technologically advanced." Grandfather said.
"Then how could they survive out in the desert?" Uncle Daxter asked. "I heard it gets so hot it could melt Precursor metal! Not to mention the sandstorms that will tear the flesh from your bones!"
"They survive the same way Spargus does, I guess." Grandfather said. "Their high walls would protect them. These people are probably the last people on the planet that are 'Eco Extremists.' They worship the Precursors according to the ancient ways. If anyone had those crystals, it would be them."
"No problem them," Uncle Daxter said. "We just find this place and ask to borrow their goods!"
"It won't be that simple." Grandfather sighed. "They won't be so willing to part with the crystals. And there's the part of finding the city itself. Eco poisoning can kill anywhere from two days to two weeks. However, with the Precursor's gift, I'm sure Jak has at least a month. However, the odds of finding a city that's been hiding for centuries in the next month is unlikely.
"Spargus." Governess Ashelin said suddenly, "They are the power of the Wasteland desert. If something were out there, they'd know."
"Then it's settled." Father said. "Saphira will go and find Precursa by going to the Spargains. And, in the meantime, we will stay here and do our best to defend against Gol and Maia."
"I still don't like the idea of Saphira going out there by herself." Mother said.
"Then she won't." Father said. "Dax… You've been with me though thick and thin. Please go with my daughter and keep her safe."
"More adventures?" Uncle Daxter complained. "Will it ever end?" Uncle Daxter paused as he thought this over. "Fine, I'll go… for you guys. Seems like you always depend on me."
"Saphira, I have two gifts for you on your journey." Father said. He held out a hand and I accepted the thing, it was a Seal of Mar. "The Spargains have always respected Mar and his line. As long as you wear it, they won't hurt you. It will also help you remember that you are descended from a great line of warriors and heroes, there is nothing you can't do."
"What if I don't make it?" I asked. "If you die, I can't bring you back." I said, tears beginning to fill my eyes.
"I have faced the unknown more times than I can count." Father said. "And I have spat on death several times. I can face death with courage."
"But I'm afraid." I said.
"Its alright to be afraid." Father said. "Real courage is not the absence of fear, but knowing your fear and conquering it. Besides…" Father grinned in a lucid sort of way. "You'll find that Dax is coward enough for the both of you."
"Hey!" Uncle Daxter protested.
"I'll arrange for a transport to take you to Spargus." Torn began, but Uncle Daxter stopped him.
"Wait!" Uncle Daxter said. "Jak, what's your other gift?" Uncle Daxter paused and asked under his breath, "It had better be a miracle."
"Not quite." Father said. "Keira, get it, please." Mother turned and left the room to get whatever Father had requested. When she reentered the room, she held what I recognized as a 'Morph-Gun.' Almost obsolete by now, but it was still a good, versatile firearm. The Gun showed a lot of wear and tear, but it was still in good working order.
"That gun," Father began, "Got me out of some pretty bad scrapes. I even used that very gun to destroy the Metal-Head Leader years ago. It will help you as it helped me."
"I have something to give you also." Mother said. She handed me a Jet-Board, "I built that for your father back in the days when I was a mechanic. It came in handy several times, you might find a use for it." Mother smiled, "I hope you inherited more from your father than hair color."
"Sig, you said you came from Spargus?" Torn asked, Sig nodded. "Then you should go with us. You can show us where this City is and maybe even arrange a kind welcome…"
"Doubt it." Sig said, "Spargains don't trust right away as a rule. But, I'll do my best."
"Good," Governess Ashelin said, "You'll leave tonight."
Tonight? I thought to myself, "Can't I say good-bye? I might never see my father again!" I pleaded.
"Come on, we'll be back long before Jak even gets close to dying!" Uncle Daxter said.
"Don't worry, you'll come back, make me better, than I'll destroy Gol and Maia… again." Father said.
"Uh… she needs shoulder armor!" Uncle Daxter said. "Otherwise, I can't balance."
"Just shoulder armor?" Mother asked. "Why don't we give her a full set of armor?"
"We don't have female armor." Torn said simply. "However, shoulder armor will work." Torn sent for some shoulder armor out of the armory, and had me fitted. I felt lopsided with the weight and nearly lost my balance when Uncle Daxter tried it out.
"You'll get used to the weight." Father assured me. "Soon, you'll become so used to it, that you'll miss the weight when it's gone. His mouth, on the other hand…"
"Are you sure you're sick, Jak, cause you obviously feel well enough to be sarcastic." Uncle Daxter huffed.
(That night, Haven City Main Gate)
That night, the entire Royal Family and friends had gathered at the Main Gates of Haven City. Even Father had been carried out of the Palace. Of coarse, he was kept out of public view; if people knew their King was dying in this hard time, there'd be panic in the streets.
Torn, Sig, Uncle Daxter, and I were about to board the waiting transport. But I stayed behind and listened to my father's parting words.
"Remember," he said, "All of Haven City goes with you."
"Stay alive!" I begged him.
"Don't worry." Father said, "Cheating death is what I do best. Go!" he said. The sooner you leave, the sooner you can return!"
I turned and boarded the zoomer. "Is that you, your Highness?" Sig asked. "You look like a completely different person!" It was true. I wasn't wearing the long dresses I had worn all my life. Instead, I was wearing normal pants and a shirt. "I can't even tell if it's you!" Sig finished.
"Of coarse it's her." Torn said, irritably, "Not many people with green/blonde hair. Are you ready to go, your Majesty?"
"Do we really have to use titles?" I asked.
"Yes, you'll be better respected in Spargus if they knew you are Royalty." Sig said.
I got into the back of the zoomer. It was a Royal zoomer, which meant that comfort was above speed. It would be a slow, but comfortable ride across the Wasteland Desert.
(Spargus City Desert Control Room, Author's POV)
Most in Spargus considered manning the Desert Control room to be the most boring job in the City. But somebody had to do it, sitting there, staring at green radar screens all day. Today proved to be an especially boring day, there were no storms due, so that meant no new artifact sightings. No Metal-Heads, seeing as how the Haveners drove them off along time ago. There didn't seem to be any Marauder activity. The man who was currently stuck at the radar screens just knew the screens were going to brainwash him someday. He had been there for more than five hours and not so much as a Metal-Head Stinger!
His boss walked in, "Anything?" he asked.
"Nothing." The man said, tapping the monitor, a slight disturbance ran across the screen. "The desert's as empty as a Metal-Head's brain!"
"Well, tell me if you see anything." The boss walked out.
"Like that'll ever happen." The control operator said under his breath. He leaned back in the chair to do some more staring, but something caught his eye and he leaned forward. "Ah, sir?" he called.
"What?" The boss yelled from the other room.
"I think we've got something!" The control operator pointed at a small dot moving across the screen. "It's headed straight towards Spargus!"
"Marauder?" The boss ran into the room.
"Negative." The control operator pulled up a visual from one of the many cameras they had hidden in the desert. "Zoomer… Blue armor… That's a Haven vehicle." He froze the picture and pointed to a small symbol, which happened to be Mar's Seal, on the side. "What's that?" he asked.
"That is the Seal of Mar." the boss said. "Well, you know the procedure with Haven or Precursa vehicles. Hail them and ask them what they are doing in our desert!"
(Somewhere in the Wasteland)
"It's been awhile." I said, looking out the small window. I saw nothing but sand, rocks, cactus, and more sand. "Shouldn't we see something by now?"
"You can." Sig said, pointing out the small window. The thing he was pointing at seemed to be a fire… burning a hundred feet in the air.
"What's that?" I asked.
"That is the beacon on top of the Spargus Palace." Sig explained. "It's usually for their warriors in sandstorms. I get very hard to see, you see, but they see the fire and follow it. It shows them the way, now it's showing us the way."
"That sounds so cool!" Uncle Daxter said. "It's showing us the way." He quoted Sig.
"We're getting a transmission from the City!" Torn announced.
"Haven vehicle!" the voice said over the speakers. "You are flying in Spargain desert. Tell us your purpose in our desert or you will be shot down. Repeat: Will be shot down."
"Very friendly, aren't they?" I commented dryly.
"Don't shot, Spargus." Torn said. "I am Torn Raefel,"
(A/N: Torn's last name is pronounced like 'Rifle.' Cool, huh?)
"I am the Commander of Haven's Freedom League Guards. We are here to talk to your King."
"That's no reason for us to not shot you down, Commander Raefel." The man said.
"How about this then: the King's closest advisor and person friend is aboard." Torn said, "Not to mention, Princess Saphira, King Jak's only daughter and heir to the Throne of Haven City." Torn let these words sink in. "So if you shot us down, the King would be very angry… not to mention the entire population of Haven City, it could start a war."
There was a very long silence. "Well, why didn't you say so? Pull out to the front gate of Spargus and land your vehicle. There will be an escort there to take you to the Palace. Beware of the Marauders, don't attempt to fight them. We won't shot you down, but they will."
"We'll be careful." Torn assured the man as he turned off the intercom.
"Marauders?" I asked.
"Evil men." Sig said, then he corrected himself, "Well, not really men, they are more like animals. They seem to exist just to make Spargus' life a living hell."
"We should be there in an hour." Torn said. "You should at least wear your crown, you Highness."
"Torn!" I said, purposely leaving out the 'Commander' part. "It's just us. I lived the first seven years of my life just being Saphira! I miss being 'Saphira!' Now I've turned into 'Your Highness!"
"Put your crown on, Your Highness." I could swear he emphasized the 'Your Highness' part.
"I hate you." I said.
"Oh, watch out, Tornie." Uncle Daxter said. "You just made an enemy of the future Queen of Haven City!"
"I made Jak my enemy since the first time I met him, and look at me now." Commander Torn said.
"Yeah, driving to our death at the hands of the Spargains. Jak's in Haven City dying, and Gol and Maia, the winners of the 'Craziest People in History' award are currently rampaging out there somewhere. And everything is perfect! A bed of roses! Fine and dandy!" Uncle Daxter ranted.
LES: I love that last line. That is the pure essence of Daxter. I just love it.
