A/N: Thanks to my reviewers, Jaksterio, jess and Light-Eco-Sage! Thank you! OC stands for "Original Character", a character that an author makes up and therefore owns that character. OOC stands for "Out of Character", where a character or several characters in a fanfic are just that, out of character. Who would've guessed it? Yeah, I was kinda afraid Dark Jak was too OOC, but hopefully in this chapter I'll portray it, er, him, better. And NO this is NOT a DarkxKeira!! From now on, Dark Jak is just 'Dark', k?
Key for dialogue & thoughts
"Blah"-Character Dialogue
Blah- Character Thought
'Blah'- Dark Jak Telepathic Dialogue
Disclaimer: It goes without saying. If you are stupid enough to not know what I do and do not own, then, well… you must be pretty dull!
The Rejected
Chapter 2
Dark watched as Seem guided two of her Leapers to the house. The Leapers carried all of Keira's property that she'd wanted to bring, which was perhaps only a dozen cardboard boxes or so and a kanga-rat hide suitcase; she had wanted to leave most of it behind. Dark had nothing of his own, so he had nothing to bring to Spargus.
With nothing to do, Dark once again surveyed the little house that was his new home. It was right against the sea, on a ten-foot cliff that protected the shore from the ever-crashing waves. A small, wooden pavilion extended out over the edge of the cliff, and had a makeshift roof of palm fronds over it. A table low to the ground sat in the center, and small mats encompassed the table. On the table was a simple, single lily in a tasteful, modest vase.
Inside the house was a small kitchen connected to a small area for dining, a hall, and a bedroom on the lower level. Stairs across from the bedroom led up to another bedroom on the second floor, and then a balcony on the roof that allowed one to see the entire stretch of the surrounding areas of Spargus.
Dark was restless still as he gazed over the sandy buildings from the balcony atop the house. He felt as though he needed to just let go; it was something he hadn't done for some time, and it was his nature to do so. Pangs of intense hatred and fury raged throughout his body; the eyes narrowed and the fangs barred. The claws twitched quickly, and a soft hiss of purple jolts of Dark Eco interrupted the tranquil air. Dusk was approaching, and many would remember it as Nattavmorke, The Night of Darkness.
At dawn Dark hobbled into the house, exhausted and confused. There was blood splattered across his claws, arms, and chest, though he didn't remember it being there. He could recall nothing, only a severe migraine that nearly prevented him from finding his way back. He was drained; he collapsed on a mat in the hall.
Dark heard footsteps and an urgent cry from a feminine voice, then a short gasp as the woman spotted the blood on his body.
Keira felt sick as she saw the dried fluid on the monster's body. She couldn't believe this would happen… Torn had "domesticated" it so long ago… How could this happen?
Dark lay groggily on the floor, close to unconsciousness and curled in a ball. Keira grabbed a soaked towel from the kitchen, and cleaned the creature of the blood. It was not until she heaved it out onto the pavilion to splash some water on it that she noticed the bullet embedded in the creature's torso.
"Wait, I think the cherry's coming around!" shouted a voice urgently. Dark had heard it before… That was the voice of the King of Spargus! What was he doing here?
Dark rubbed a clawed hand across his head. What had happened?
"You-be sure he stays on his bed, chili pepper!" ordered the voice; a few seconds later, a pair of hands pressed down on his limbs, constraining him.
"What'd ya say happened, Keira?" questioned the voice. This time, the feminine voice he'd heard earlier answered.
"I heard a crash and I came downstairs, and it was lying there, and covered in-" There was a dramatic pause- "in blood!"
"Ker, got that down? Everything needs to be written down before I can make my decision."
"But Sig sir, it is not the way-"
"I'm the King, and that's the way it is now. Do it or die in the desert."
"Yes sir," answered the servant meekly. Dark listened to the scratch of a quill against crude Precursoran paper.
"Thank the Precursors we found it before it could do any more harm!" said the King.
At the mention of the Precursors, Dark's eyes bolted open and white-hot anger spread throughout his body. A crackle of electricity sizzled through the air; purple bolts of lighting hissed and broke the grip of the servant holding Dark, who was instantly dead from the impact.
Dark sprang from the cot and roared; his self-control was lost in the reveries of last night.
"ATTACK THAT THING!" yelled Sig, who'd already fired a charged-up blast from the Peacemaker. Torn had assured Sig that the monster was perfectly harmless, but now Sig knew that fact to be wrong. It was only the creature's first night in Spargus; already a few hundred had been massacred in the streets during the night. One had managed to get a shot off at the monster before she'd been destroyed mercilessly, the poor citizen.
Sig noticed Keira cowering behind him; she was shedding tears yet again. All because of the creature she'd placed her trust in that was standing before him.
"STOP!" she shrieked. The attacking Wastelanders, amazed by her outburst, lowered their guns.
Keira slowly approached Dark Jak, shaking with apprehension.
"D-Dark, it's okay, just calm down… Please..." she whispered. Dark lashed at her but missed, though Keira still let out an ear-piercing scream.
The monster fell to its knees and put its hands over its ears. It was vibrating intensely.
Keira reached her hand out once again to touch it, finished with her scream, and whispered for no one to make a sound, as it would provoke the creature more. After quickly persuading it to calm down, Dark Jak stood erect and stared at its feet.
"Now tell me you can handle this like a man because I don't want to throw you out to the Metal Heads," commanded Sig. Dark Jak nodded.
"Good. Okay, cherry, listen to this... 'The charges against the alleged 'Dark Jak' are as follows: First-degree murder, Assault and Battery, Assault, and Manslaughter… The consequences dictated by the laws of King Wereq the third state that the punishment is… the Death Penalty. However, the consequences are to be decided by the ruling power.' Hmm…"
The creature shivered, clearly upset.
"Now, your case is a special case, and I'm going to judge you on a single answer to one question. Only one question, answer truthfully: Do you or do you not remember what you did last night?" interrogated Sig. Dark Jak shivered under his gaze.
'I do not.'
"…You don't." It was a statement, and not a question. Sig bowed his head.
The poor creature doesn't know it even did that…"As much as I hate to do this, there is blood to pay. You, sir, are in debt of all of Spargus. If you want to redeem yourself, then you will do what I ask, and with honor: you will leave Spargus. Go to the Temple. You will spend your days with Seem to help her uncover the secrets and mysteries of a peculiar star that stains our skies. Until you are tame and mellow, you may never set foot inside this city. Is that clear?"
The creature simply nodded, shocked at its good fortune.
The Wastelander whooped as the dune buggy jumped over yet another gap and skidded to a halt at the entrance to the Monk Temple. Dark felt rather sick, but said nothing to the crazed elf that had driven him.
After meeting with Seem again, she began to explain what new revelation had appeared in the sky and why Dark would be such a help for her.
"It is very similar to the Day Star, though it has a light blue aura to it. Surely not more Dark Ones?" Seem questioned as the two observed the burning star from the highest part of the Temple.
'That is not possible. The Dark Ones would not dare return after… after he defeated them.'
"Quiet your soul, Darkened One. There is work to be done."
Dark nodded, not daring to defy such a woman of both influence and psychic skills.
Seem skimmed through a book with ancient Precursor writings of the most ancient of dialect, searching for any prophecies that might speak of the mysterious star. There were none, apparently, for she set the book down in frustration.
"I am understanding that your knowledge of Precursor histories and technology is very great. One of my monks went to Haven Forest and looked through one of the oldest artifacts there, a telescope, and obtained some sketches of the star… They are an abomination! Come, see what the star is!"
Seem handed Dark the sketches, and Dark's eyes widened in disbelief.
'It is… No, it could not be! Mar is returning!'A/N: So, how is it now? Is Dark Jak still too OOC? Is it still too weird and confusing to be a good fic? Please tell me, it is very much appreciated! Oh, and Light Jak should be appearing soon! Happy New Year!