A/N: Ok ok, so lemme just clear one thing offa my chest cuz I'm getting a little tired of going to message boards and chat rooms and stuff like that and seeing people be all down about Jak 3 being the last game. Well, true, Jak 3 DOES wrap up the trilogy, but for those who don't know, it is not the end of the Jak and Daxter franchise, stated by ND'S Evan Wells, I believe his name is. Just thought I'd get that out.
And I usually don't like to advertise, but if and when you ever get the chance, check out my one-shot 'Zero Tolerance.' I tend to not like my own work, but I actually… kinda like the way it turned out. So puh puh puh-lease?
Oh and I'm really sorry about always making you guys wait so long. Really, the guilt kinda gets to me, but writers bock and personal life can be a biznatch. Just go easy on me this time around.
Anyway, I think this is the most reviews I've gotten for this story, and I thank you all dearly for that. So! All the 'thank you's go out toooooo
Silver Draggon: Muwahahaha, I think I'm not the only one that would give her soul away for a pair of wings. 'specially ones as cool as Jak's, ne? And don't worry about reviewing and / or not reviewing, as long as I know that people are still reading. I always have to remember not everybody that reads will leave reviews. As for the doors and the colors, yes I love them too, I was just uber relieved to see that readers felt the same way about it. So thanks a bunch, kay?
Jemisard: Awww, aren't chu just the sweetest little reviewer!! -pats head fondly- So key-yute! Thanks for the sweetness, hun. And the love and the compliments and all that jazz. It really makes my day, you have no idea! Oh and you've confirmed my hopes of getting feeling out there. I try so hard to get a good description going, so I like to know I did something right! And I know all you little people out there think you know what's coming up, I can read all of chuuuu!!! Muwahahahaha!!
Demyrie: Meep!! No no, darling!! I have NO objections to long reviews, I was just sharing my joy, silly. I LOVE long reviews! I like any review, but long ones just make me smile past my ears!!! I try to leave a long review if I can, though it's never as long as I would like. The transition of Daxter's health WAS a bit choppy, but it was there, and I did try. And things looks good for Daxxie now, don't they? But I am so ebil… Keep working on JAM for mehh!!! The Gods in my shrine need a sacrifice and I'm all out of HO HOS!!!
Midnyte Wolf: Wooo, thanks for the e-mails! I love the smell of fresh inbox in the morning…or anytime in the day. And you finally beat Jak3, yay for you!! Jak's rubbing off on you, you rebellious thing you, sneaking on during school!! (Don't worry, about 80 percentof us all do it, hehehe) and sorry if I've been late on responses.
jess: Yes!! I manipulated the writing laws and systems enough to make you reeead!!! Hah, joshing you, but seriously? I'm glad your still with me on this, cuz I appreciate every reader I have, even the non-reviewing ones, so thank you thank you thank you!
manicalpha: Everyone seems to like that line. Your not the first to mention its humor. I know I had a blast writing it, and trying to fit it in somewhere, ANYWHERE. And and and… A good Jak and Daxter story!?? A simple statement like that means oh so much to meh little beating heart. I'll try to squeeze in another good line just for chuu!!!
Sanjuno Shori: MEW! Cute, huh? Well, thanks hun! I always write as fast as I can, but with living conditions and my undeniable laziness, things go a bit slower than I would like. But here you are, it's finally here so chin up, love! And hopefully, the next installment won't take AS long.
E-chan5: I'll read your story whenever I get the chance, but my computer access as of late is VERY limited and my computer itself is a retard, so it may not let me review. But I promise to get to it eventually. And uh –sweatdrops- Dunno where you heard Demyrie 'liked' me, but I'm glad that whatever information got to you, it convinced you to read Loud Silence! So yay!
Kyrian: Yay! A new reviewer!! Any reviewer is a good reviewer, and welcome! Tee hee hee har! I know what you mean about yaoi… The EXACT same thing happened to me! It was like BOOMWTF!?ILOVEYAOIALLTHESUDDEN, but I'm happy! :3 And yeah, Jak 3 did go by fast, but it was worth it in my book, I love the sound of Jak AND Daxter's voice. Actually, the voice acting in that whole game was perfect. And no stick beatings please. I may act tough, but I bleed easy!!
Jira: BUWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! AHAHAHA!!! -wipes tear from eye and grins- barley, eh? Simple mistake. HAHA, After you mentioned that I checked it out for myself. I originally planned on fixing it, but the whole thing is just too FRIGGEN humorous for me to touch, so I'm leaving it as it is just coz I find it that funny. So yeah, but you know, since I wrote it, the mistake never grabbed my eyes attention, and spell-check sucks and stuff. But everyone knows this. And thanks for the compliments about Daxter's feelings. And about the self defense and the looks Dax would have if he somehow got turned back? Your just gonna have to see if anything happens. Trust me, I've put a lot of thought into this story and how things are going to plot out.
WHEW! Nothing like the feeling of finishing responses to all my reviewers. Thanks! (After all, who DOES'T like to see their name on the screen!!)
OH! And one last warning... since no matter how hard I try, I miss a mistake or two in grammer, regardless of countless readings and spell checks, so scuse them, they don't know where else to turn.
You know you've been in the sewer too many times when you get in there and don't smell a damn thing. You know, like a natural scent that after while, doesn't even seem to reach your nostrils but you know its bad 'coz your eyes still water? Yeah, I know you know what I'm yappin' about. Either way, the sewer still reeks. And I'm not even referring to the scent thing anymore.
'Course, there are always those other factors that make the sewers such a good place to hate. When Jak got in there, for example, his boots splashed into a puddle of… something. And the sound it made? Ugh, it was enough to make Jak cringe, how about that?
Don't get me wrong. I'm one of those guys that doesn't really mind getting all dirtyby doingdifficult tasks, (and believe you me, all chicks dig THAT in any guy OR animal) but even I hate mucking around in the open drain as a day-to-day fixation. As I've pointed out to Jak once before, it ain't just mud that's clinging to his boots. Why do you think I'm on Jak's shoulderhalfthe time? I can walk on my own, but I don't wanna get any of that unknown crap in between my toes.
You ever see me lick myself?
Gross, I know. But I can't seem to control it. It's scarier than Dark Jak, really.
But… even when I take all of that into mind, I really… don't care that I'm down here. I mean, I'm with Jak, which is always a plus. And together we're looking for the one thing that could possibly change me back. And if that theory is true, and the junk works, and I return to normal, my chances with Jak will shoot up a couple oflevels. Maybe I'll even get a little confidence booster on the side. In short, if this works out, my luck will be turning around. It kind of already has. Knowing that Jak cares enough to do this for me in the first place already melts my senses. Not to mention I can't help but adore the flattering factoid of Jak is still clinging on to that promise he made to me so long ago, even when I myself had started to lose sight of it.
In fact, the whole idea strikes me so well, I don't even care about the little spec of slime that just splattered on my face. Ok maybe a little… maybe a lot, but you get what I'm saying.
Even Jak seemed to have a new bounce to his step, and a renewed spirit as he ran through the sewers like a little kid at the grand opening of a brand new play place at your favorite theme park, and turning corners so fast that he would slide but skillfully catch himself and continue running. It was almost… cute, if I ever dared to say the word to or about anything.
And it's ironic to say, but so true: If you can only imagine it, we're in the sewer, (not the most inspirational of places to say the least, I mean you don't need to know the whole history of the Precursors to know that. And the liquid here was either brown or black, and the joint was littered with Metal Heads and danger from time to time. They kinda tended to be there one day, and then gone the next. The memorable drip dropping of water from the pipes rang constantly and would drive you mad if you paid too much mind to it.) So you can't help but muse over Jak's behavior just then. He seemed… Free as a bird, the way he was running around. He was…Or at least appeared to be…
Happy.
Just… radiating untainted happiness.
And call me selfish, but I can't think of any other reason for him being so other than… He's happy for me. Because we were doing this for ME and this would help ME to… well... return to the ME that I used to be. And after that, I hope to work on the project of turning said ME into fantasized US. I just gotta stick Keira into the problem, mix in maybe a little gender issues, and somehow figure out how to subtract them from the equation to equal… the happiness of both me and my best friend, without messing it up and sticking awkwardness in there. 'Cause that would screw everything up. And I can't have awkwardness in the solution. This math problem can be a tricky one if I don't pay too much attention to the details. A math problem can only have one solution, after all. But there lies the problem within a problem. There isn't any way I can go back and erase my mistakes.
Another corner was turned, and we came to an abrupt halt, almost throwing me clear off of Jak's shoulder, and crushing my perfect reflection process. Crossing my arms, I glared at whatever it was that had brought this upon me, only to see nothing in front of me but the familiar sewer passage ways that by now, I knew like the back of my glove.
My arms dropped to my sides, and I looked around.
"What, what?" I muttered, sliding down Jak's arm, regretting it when I landed at his feet and in a huge puddle of thick green glop. "I'm telling ya, Jak. Pants." I pointed a finger at him, then to my legs as I casually walked on ahead to explore.
I came to a ledge and plopped down to all fours to peer over it. I felt Jak walk up behind me.
"Did I miss something?" I inquired. "Why'd we stop?"
"We've been around the whole sewer," He said with a tint of humor in the verity. He spun around to get a good look. "I don't see anything out of the ordinary. Do you?"
"Course not," I vented. "But then again, you remember what happened before, don't you?"
Jak nodded at the memory, and as if this time would be the same, he started scanning the walls. I rolled my eyes and pushed my jaw outwards in annoyance.
"You can't really believe in the coincidence of the places we want to find are BOTH behind hidden walls."
Luck like that only happens in the movies. And this, my friends, was no movie. This was actual. Real. LIFE.
………
My life, anyway, and we all know what a card it can be.
Before I had the chance to take this perfect opportunity to say something to put another smile on Jak's face, I heard a splash from behind me. I whipped my head around at about the same speed as Jak turned sharply on his heals, spraying my face with muck and not even noticing that he had done so. There was some imaginary taste of YUCK in my mouth just at the thought of it, and I spat to the side before returning my attention to the disturbance.
I… didn't see any rats or Metal Heads. Or any retreating form for that matter, but I knew something had been there, because Jak wouldn't let his eyes wonder anywhere other than where they already were. I found if I wans't clinging onto Jak's armor, I was always next to his pant leg, ready to pounce onto his protectiveshouldershould he decide to go on another expedition; a self-employed mission that I didn't want. But his eyes narrowed and his foot went forward, and sure enough, I was up there, and we were movin'. Truth be told I was actually thinking about telling Jak that nothing was there, that he was just being crazy and paranoid and stupid, but my eyes captured sight of the water that flooded the grubby ground under us, and the tiny fading ripples that danced across it, quickly fading as if to hide from Jak and myself. Or Jak anyway.
Great, another pursuit. That's all I need. This kid needs to find himself a hobby. A nice… safe hobby that voids him from guns and/or death, or anything related to the sort. Just by a show of hands, can anyone here see Jak with a thread and needle?
You know, without turning it into some kind of weapon?
Anyway, Jak hovered over the violated puddle and perked his ears up cautiously. I held my breath, dunno why, and released it only when he chose a direction to go and went with it. There was only one defined trail to follow after that, and Jak took his good old time following it, seemingly lost in thought and fingers gracing his gun handle every now and again. The pathway became darker the more we traveled, grimly reminding me of our first visit to the Snake Hole, only minus the doors…and…stairs and whatnot. Thank God.
Jak had stopped again, considering his options and trying to figure his best course of action. He appeared unsure of which way to go, for we had come to a split along the way. He eyed them both with deliberation, taking a step forward and…
Chck-Kang
Both our heads lowered at the clang of metal, and saw a loose cesspit upon the sewer floor. Not only ironic, but inviting. Well, inviting to blondie. I didn't wanna go near it. So Jak bent over to pry it open with his now slimy fingers, and when he did I was met with a sudden gust of wind, howling in my ears and just daring me to run. Trust me, I woulda ran if I could only draw my claws back out from Jak's clothing. But you know me! I'm… You know, I'm not gonna leave Jak hangin' and ...make him go in there all by himself.
He gave a glance to me once before sliding down the ladder that was there, and landed at the bottom with a hushed click of his boots. We were both shuddering at the sudden eeriness of the place that was lower than beneath the city. The shock – if you could call it that – was over almost as sudden as it had begun when a low murmur reached our earshot. The buzzing grew louder, naturally, as Jak tip toed towards its source, holding up a finger to silently request my peace.
He poked his head around the corner and I did it with him.
"Look at that."
Jak's words were melted into his breath, turning around and pressing himself against the wall in thought.
Who knew there would be a whole organization working down here? It was like a whole different version of the Underground that was… really underground, and working in a real hush-hush environment. Keeping something so covertly hidden was hard in the city. KG's would get suspicious of anything these days. Hell, I remember when we were delivering a package to Krew, on our way to meet him for the first time. Guards started emerging from every direction and firing at us with the accusation of 'having a package'. Apparently they had nothing better to shoot at during the time.
I inwardly groaned as my heartbeat decided to pack its bags and move up into my head, pounding at the walls and having one heck of a party. I shook my head to rid myself of the annoyance but only succeeded in gaining lightheadedness that didn't want to go away. So while I was trying to hold down the growing nausea that was whirring inside of me, Jak crept closer to his new discovery, keeping a sharp eye out for any danger or trouble. A deadly game of hide and seek. Or rather, hide or get fucked. Whichever you prefer, they have the same general connotation.
Poking my head up along with Jak, I gained a better insight of what was going on. Small machines, nothing too big or complicated but actually small enough to be portable, were being used by several grubby -but thin- looking creeps. This really isn't anything too fascinating. I mean, we've all seen people use machinery before, and it was about as impressive as a newly bought blender fromyour nearest convenient store, but what caught the attention of me and big lug I stood on, was the object that was resulting from the machinery.
An object that was bright and glowing like the Heavens themselves.
Don't ask me how you can create Light Eco using tools and equipment like that, because I don't care! It was there and that was all that mattered! My heartbeat returned to my head once again, spreading itself this time and gaining access to my ears. I was almost afraid that someone would hear it, it was so loud.
Alright, so we have ourselves a secret 'thing' going on here, one that makes a substance that is supposed to be really rare in these current times. Something that I've been secretly wishing to find and someday use was right here in front of me. I never actually thought I would find it after we first got into Haven City. To tell the truth, I had lost every last glimmer of hope I had of finding the stuff. But now?
Now…
Ch-hk
My eyes flickered downwards. Jak was already cocking his scatter gun, which usually meant he didn't think he was up to too much of a threat. The scatter gun was such a slow and somewhat annoying weapon, in my opinion. And Jak seemingly felt the same way. So every time he used it, it was in small situations like this one, where he felt no reason to be worried or scared. He held it attentively for a moment, sitting down and thinking, almost planning his next course of action.
Finally, he stood up, still cleverly hidden behind some conveniently laid KG crates, and closed the distance between him and the Light Eco that was so close and yet still so very far away. He moved up, while crouched, to the end of the 'assembly line,' where Light Eco was being placed in glass jars and put aside for later use, whatever that 'use' may be. It didn't matter! Without any hesitation Jak reached out and grabbed one of the jars, securing it in his arms and holding it dearly and closely, turning around to sneak back.
Looks as though he never needed to set a single hand on his gun.
And thank goodness he decided not to start any trouble.
"Hey you!"
Er…
Jak froze where he stood, his back towards the source of the voice, which was the very opposite of intimidating. Almost like a geek going through the hard journey called puberty. Even so, with a messed up vocal cord and a scrawny body that everyone down here seemed to have, Jak knew not to underestimate his enemies. They had to know a thing or two if they were down here doing this kind of work in the city.
Or at least, they should've.
"Turn around."
Before Jak followed these orders, he tucked the jar away in his tunic, which by now I'm starting to wonder what else he had hidden down in there.
Hmmm….
"You. State your name and purpose."
Seriously though, it's so hard not to snicker at the sound of his voice, and from the looks of things, Jak didn't see any reason to be alarmed just yet, for he never attempted to give him an answer. I'm actually pretty surprised not to see thick glasses with tape wrapped around the middle of them, or suspendersor pocket protectors. And I was half expecting to hear a hitch in his voice every now and again. And I wouldn't be too shocked to find deformed teeth.
…Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course. I mean, crooked teeth are all the rage. It's actually more like a chick magnet.
"Pat him down."
From nowhere it seemed, a crowd of scrawny little punks came up around Jak and started patting around his body, his clothes, his…
I felt my entire body grow so hot, I was surprised there wasn't any steam, and sweat even threatened to dampen my fur. But they did find the jar, and they took it from his possession.
Jak's eyes narrowed.
I jumped as a hand came down to stroke my fur, feeling up my arms and legs and the length of my tail, ruffling my fur and making me clench my fists. They lifted my goggles and patted my head, feeling my ears and checking my hands and the fingerless gloves that covered them.
"HEY! Does it look like I have any pockets!?"
As if listening to me, they backed off and stared us down. I could feel Jak's muscles twitch. And I could tell and he was trying so hard to... NOT freak out and go crazy.
"I'll have to ask you to give that back to me."
A few laughed, a few just stared, but the one in the middle, who I was assuming to be the leader, shook his head as if it was the dumbest thing he had ever heard.
"Are you kidding me? We worked so hard to get as far as we have, and I don't want anyone screwing up our business."
Business?
"Listen, I don't care about your damn organization or your motives. All I want is one little jar of that stuff." Jak pointed to the jar that was taken from him. When they showed no sign of moving, he continued. "If it means anything to you, I don't plan on saying anything about any of this to anyone. Your secrets safe with me."
"YEAH!" I felt the need to share my own thoughts. Of course single words such as 'yeah' don't really intimidate a person too much.
"You mean…" the guy took a step closer, pinching a singleeye tighter to examine Jak's features carefully, trying to tell if he was being truthful or not. "You're not in it for the profit?"
Who knew what these dorks were going on about, but at the same time, who cared? Jak was getting flustered and so was I.
"Look, I really don't want to waste anymore time. If you don't give me the damn jar, I'm gonna have to take it myself. It's up to you; we can do this the easy way, or the hard way."
Jak's hand went to his gun, and everyone saw it. Only I knew that he was serious enough to actually use it. These guys looked smart, but did they know that he would whip that thing out the second his mind wanted him to? There are a few exceptions, but life isn't always about second chances.
"Sorry," he bowed his head, as if truly apologetic for the decline. "But I just can't take any risks and-"
"That's fine."
Ch-Chck
Scatter gun ho! As soon at the point of the gun was facing those geeks, they finally understood the depth of their situation. Only there was probably no chance of turning back now. Jak was pretty good at getting what he wanted, believe me.
I wasn't fully prepared for that first shot that came rushing out of the weapon, but I expected the pathetic screams of the poor souls who were in its path. After that, they scattered and started running, but Jak was always a fast runner, and he gunned them down with a juvenile smile on his face. Aaand would probably later admit that he had enjoyed doing so. Once that first man was hit, Jak was set on a energetic rampage, shooting in every direction, aiming at anything that moved in the corner of his eye. And he kept it up, until only one was left standing. And that one held the single glass container that was so harshly taken from him. It would be too easy for us to just grab another jar from the pile.
No, no.. That would be no fun at all.
"It's kinda hard to run a business on your own," Jak smirked, cocking his gun. "You sure you don't wanna hand it over?"
The guy looked around at his fallen comrades, who were wounded and unconscious, but none of them dead. This, of course, was one of the things I was currently happy for. The thing about the scatter gun is… It's powerful, but never strong enough to kill a man with just one shot alone. Jak knew this, and for some reason, went easy on them.
Heh, yup, he was definitely in a good mood.
The guy holding the jar threw it up into the air and ran off in the other direction, whimpering and whining the whole way until he was out of our sight. Jak was fast enough to put his gun away safely and efficiently in time to catch the falling glass container. Once safely in his hands, he tucked it away and darted off, more than likely to find his way out of the sewer. His words kept ringing in my head the whole time, mesmerizing me…
I've got a promise to fulfill
A promise to fulfill
Well Dax, I've got a promise
A promise
Fresh air that didn't smell smacked me in the face the second we were back outside. I knew right away by the path that was being taken that he was going for the den, where just me… and him… could cherish a moment together. A moment that we've been waiting for for forever, and was not meant to be shared with anyone else. Getting to the den seemed to take a hell of a lot longer than it really needed to, but he did get there, and we did get inside, and the feeling in my stomach was enough to gag on.
Jak slid on his knees to the bed, already in the process of ripping the lid off of the jar, and I leaped from his shoulder to the sheets, bouncing in anticipation as the lid finally popped off, the sound it made being ironically the greatest sound I had ever heard in my young life.
Jak seemed dazed, his eyes going half lidded, practically drooling at the mouth in the whole intensity of the situation. Like, could this really be happening? After all this time of searching and hoping, and being small and looked down on and riding his shoulder, and being fuzzy, and… and… not wearing PANTS, was it really all so simple? Jak seemed hesitant at first, as if it just couldn't be happening like this, and so easily, but taking in the fact that it WAS and I looked at him, biting my lower lip in pure anxiety.
At last, he set the jar down, the opening facing my direction, and the glowing ball of white was hovering within, just waiting to be tampered with. I made sure to hold my breath, as if it would turn up my luck a few notches, and reached my hand into the open jar. I closed my eyes as the sensation touched my fingertips and I suddenly felt a warmth from within myself, very much like with the Green Eco.
I never even paid attention to the feeling... I ignore it and instead focused all of my attention on what I was thinking. All I could understand was the thoughts that kept running through my skull. The only thing I could concentrate on at that moment, the same views that have always been there and giving me a hard time and keeping me up and night all the other fun things that your head can do to you. And when the movies and pictures and words were done rerunning in my head like some broken slide show, I realized there was no feeling at all. By that I mean, there was no warmth, no sensation, and no tingly feeling surrounding my body. And I wondered…
Did it already work? Was it done?
I let one more image roll across my closed lids. One of me, the way I used to be, and Jak. Together. The way it was supposed to be.
Together
Things are finally looking up.
Releasing my breath, my heart pounded louder than ever, my stomach knotting up in countless places, and my fingertips were cold and convulsing in nervous anticipation as my mouth curled into the biggest grin in history.
And then I opened my eyes.
