Marauder Child

Chapter Seven: Lost

"Princess, wait!" She skidded to a halt and spun around, panting from her excitment. "Where are you going? The city is this way!" Krishna pointed in the opposite direction in which Jordan was going. "I know! But I have to get...my father!"

Jak sighed against Keira's mouth as they once again shared a passionate kiss. They parted and stared into each other's eyes. Oh how Keira wished that she was the first one to kiss him. She wished he had never met Ashlin. Never met Torn. Never came here. Of course it was his destiny, but before this place, everything was fine. He noticed the sadness in her eyes and lifted her chin.

"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly. She smiled and put her hand on his left cheek. "Nothing. It's nothing..." An awkward silence took over. Strange, because Daxter was in the same building. "Say," Jak mumbled suspiciously. "Have you seen Daxter lately?" Keira sighed and rolled her eyes. "Why would you care? He would just ruin the moment!"

"Yeah, but, it's...quiet...too quiet..." His mind raced through thoughts about what Daxter could possibly be doing. It hit him like a bucket of ice water. "The ring!" he exclaimed, forgetting that Keira was sitting beside him. "What ring?"

"Daxter was supposed to propose to Tess, but he never got the chance because we met Jordan." Keira squealed with exitement. Her best friend was getting married. "Did he say when he would propose?"

"Well, he said that he would that night that Jordan ran off with Tess. He hasn't mentioned it since..."

"JAK! JAK, COM'ERE!" He jumped at the sudden call of his name. And who should he meet but Daxter and Tess. "Jak! I'm so glad we found you!"Tess panted, dragging Daxter across the floor. "Keira! Jak! Daxxie just PROPOSED to me!" She jumped into Keira's open arms as they both squealed with delight. "Congrats, Dax," said Jak in the most exited tone he could. "Thanks, pal...Erm, it seems odd for me to ask this, but, would you like ta' be the Best Man?" The she-Ottsel pulled away from Keira and gasped. "Keira! I want you to be my Bride's Maid!"

Keira's heart sank. Jordan should be here... "Tess, I really think that we should-"

"We should have this wedding as soon as possible!" exclaimed Daxter, completely ignoring the fact that Keira was in mid-sentence. "I say we have it in Haven City forest this month. Think about it, Tess. Beautiful roses all over the place. A lovely dress adorning you..." The she-Ottsel could hardly contain herself. But among all of the excitement, she couldn't help but feel that she was forgetting something...or someone.

Krishna sighed and grabbed her arm. "No, Your Highness, you can meet him in the past. You must go back in time and rule the Marauders." She tore away from him in disbelief. "Why do I have to go back to the past?" He smiled and motioned for her to sit down. Obeying him, she fell down to the sand, ears ready for listening.

"You know how Marauders are today," he began. "Bloodthirsty, murdering, angry people they are. They weren't always like that, Miss. Not always. The story of Amorad that was told to you was that the Marauders hated Mar, correct?" She confirmed by nodding her head. "Well, it's not true. They were civilized human beings in the time of Mar, so they were very much pleased that Mar and Amorad were to be married.

"On the day of the wedding, one of the Marauders stepped forwarth, challenging Amorad. He thought that bringing Mar to Amorad would be a danger to the city. His followers behind him were the ones that kidnapped Mar, and held him captive until the Queen backed down from the marriage. Amorad refused, and Mar was killed. Soon, the man's followers murdered Amorad as well. That's how the Marauders came to be such animals-"

"Stop!" she cried. "If they were killed, when was I born?" Krishna sighed. "You were born before the marriage. It was part of the reason they were going to be husband and wife..."

Jordan couldn't believe her ears. All the stories she'd been told were of her parents...and lies. "...So it's up to you, Your Highness. You must go back in time and save your parents, accept that man's challenge, and win back the city of Amorad!"

"I accept...But..." Krishna's eyebrows lowered. "What's wrong? Don't you want to save your parents? Live the life of luxury?"

"I do! But...can I go back to Spargus...so I can say goodbye to my...friends?" He smiled warmly, feeling sympathy for her. "Yes, but we must hurry..."

"Congratulations to Tess and Daxter!" The entire bar raised their glasses and cheered for the engaged couple. A considerably large crowd had gathered at the news of the proposal. Drinks went around the Naughty Ottsel as the celebration carried on into the early morning. When all but Jak and Daxter had left, they laughed and talked about Daxter's new life to come.

"I'm happy for ya', Dax. I really am."

"Thanks, man. That means a lot to me." Something was different about him. Something like...maturity? Ever since that he proposed, he seemed more civilized and calm. Unlike the old Daxter who was talkitive and obnoxious. "So, what are your plans?"

"Whadaya' mean?"Jak asked. Daxter shook his head. "What are ya' gonna' do next about Jordan and Christin-"

"OH, SHIT!" he exclaimed, tipping over the remains of his drink and standing up from his stool. "WE LEFT CHRISTINA!"

"So?"

"So, she may know where Jordan is. And the sooner we find Jordan, the sooner we can get her where she belongs."

"Why do you care about her so much now, Jak?" He paused. "I don't know. I just don't know..."

Christina lay sprawled out on the sand, stomach rumbling. She'd been out there for two days with nothing to eat. It wouldn't be long before hunger and thirst consumed her fully, and Jak would win the arguement. She couldn't survive out here. How could anyone? "Ohhhh!" she moaned, grasping her stomach as it once againstrained furiously. It won't be long before-

"Christina!" She sat up and looked around. Nothing. So again the tired girl lay down in the sand. "CHRISTINA!" This time, over the hill, came Jak and Daxter, waving their arms like mad men. "Where have you been? I've been waiting here for two, count 'em, TWO days!" She held up two fingers right in Jak's face. "And you only said ONE!" They just rolled their eyes. "Christina, do you have any idea where Jordan may be head-"

"JAK! DAXTER! CHRISTINA!" As if on cue, Jordan came running from behind, dragging Krishna behind her. "I said to hurry, but that was a bit much, Your Highness," he mumbled. The he-Ottsel paused. "Okay, what did he just call you?" The little elf grinned from ear to ear. "I'M THE PRINCESS OF AMORAD!" she blurted. Silence took over as the rest took time to process what she had just said. Princess of Amorad? thought Jak. Then that means... Suddenly his mouth went dry. "Y-your?"

"Uh-huh!"

"And I'm?"

"Yep!" He couldn't believe it. Jordan was his daughter...That changed their entire relationship...and lives as well. "But if you're my daughter, then Amorad's your mother, and you're the Princess?" Jak took a step closer to her, but Krishna intercepted him. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you get any closer to the Princess! I don't care who you are!"

"Krishna! Stop!" He wasn't listening. Krishna drew his dagger, ready to fight to the death for the heir. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! I'm Mar!" Jak defended, having forgot his Morph Gun. Still, the brave boy wouldn't back down. Lifting the dagger to strike, he lunged out at Jak just as...

"EEEEEK!"

"Master Rorique, we've spotted them. Mar has just left Haven City and the young Princess is with him. Should we rage an attack?"

"Not yet," boomed the Mighty Rorique. "First, we find and ally. If they do not talk..." The commander understood. "But which ally should we hold captive?" The master stroked his short, black beard in deep thought. "The person cannot be just a companion, but a person that has known them for their whole life..."

"What about this girl, Master?" He leaned forward to get a better look at the screen. And the face he saw was absolutely beautiful. Her heart-shaped face was fair. Light brown hair flowed neatly to her shoulders, and sea blue eyes topped it all off. "She's perfect. What do they call her?"

"Christina, Sire." Even her name sounded beautiful. "Hmm, if she doesn't talk, we may just keep her to ourselves, shall we? But then again, one may not be enough. Find someone that is connected to Mar..." A few moments passed before the commander spoke again. "This girl seems to have a large relationship with Mar. Take a look."

"Hmmm, she'll do. If she does not talk...well, you know the drill. Move out!"

See if you can guess what happens...I just LOOOOOVE cliffhangers! Well, when they're being used against me, they're not so fun, but...yeah...