A/N: Omigosh, it's been so long, I haven't updated since February! So, so sorry! Maybe I'll do a double update or something to make it up to all of you. I know! I'll answer reviews. And that double update does sound good right now.
shadows-of-flame: Thankies very much for the review. Well, it is more like Jak and Ashelin vs. Torn, DJ, LJ, Sig, and Keira. Yeah.
gohan11: I would have personally hoped that it was obvious. Thanks for the constant reviews, by the way. It is very much appreciated.
ChibiSess: I never realized war was pokable (my own word there, not an English word. Maybe I should get a patent for it). Light will be appearing in this chapter for a bit, but this story mostly features Dark because I am a Dark fan. (Coughlookatmyc2cough)
Nessa: Whoa, such enthusiasm! I'm going! Here it is!
Air of Mystery: I'm glad that you think so. I hated the ending of Jak 3 too. Well, the Ashelin-and-Jak, er, affection part. You know what I mean.
Rei No Kaze: You're a new face, I haven't heard of you before. Thanks for your review. If you'd like to see some different perspectives of Dark, check out the two Humor genre stories in Dark Jak Fics Archive, my c2, or Krin's Studying the Unloved, or my To Be Loved. Good stuff, I tell ya.
And for those people who reviewed chappie one but are new faces:
babyblues15: I've heard the comment about Light before. He's showing up in this chapter and has shown up in a few of the other chapters as well, but this does mostly feature Dark, like I said in ChibiSess' review answer.
Kuro Kin'youbi: Thanks! I hope you continue to review it.
salena99: Now here is an anonymous reviewer that I actually recognize. I've heard of you before. I'm trying to think if you've reviewed one of my past stories or not. I'm too lazy to check. I'm really trying NOT to make Dark OOC. You see, I want the reader to comprehend that Dark is not a monster, but a common elf that barely even knows what he's doing. He's been 'tamed' over the past 3 years, so to speak. But check out chapter 2; I think you'll find it more to Dark's character.
And now, on with the show!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the stuff I think up. That being, any original character not owned by NaughtyDog, the plot, and the concept that Dark can be nice without being OOC.
The Rejected
Chapter 8
By now, you should know this stuff:
"Dialogue"
Thought
'Dark Jak Telepathic Dialogue'Four pairs of eyes gazed intently at Dark's head with icy stares.
"War?" whispered Keira. She was frightened, more so than she'd been in a long time. War was a terrible thing for people who were hurt and died, but it was worse for those who lived through it.
"Much as I hate to say it, you're right in your thinking," hissed Torn.
Keira was visibly shaking, her hand over her face. Then something seemed to click, and she rose, her demeanor completely changing. A glint in her eye sparkled that Torn hadn't seen since Keira had sabotaged a rival racer's Zoomer to get revenge on him.
"Jak will be coming to Spargus any day now. We must get you and you," Keira pointed to Dark and Light with her index finger, "to Haven before they do come. And if you try to do otherwise…" She trailed off, a menacing, proud sparkle in her eye. Light nodded and Dark cackled at Keira's sudden forceful attitude.
"I'll get a transport for you cherries," stated Sig. He sauntered out of the room to speak with a Wastelander.
"Torn, you stay here, I guess."
"Sure," he muttered.
"Alright, it's settled. Come on, you two," she ordered. Dark started to protest, but a sharp glare from the she-elf before him silenced him. Keira Hagai may have normally been less forceful and direct, but she'd become a smart, confident young woman in her years in Haven City.
"Have fun," shouted Torn after the departing elves, laughing at the misfortune of Light and Dark. It wasn't every day that one witnessed a demon and a light entity cower at the words of a twenty-year-old woman.
"Here, me other buggy, called the Dune Hopper. It's very light and speedy; it should get you blokes to Haven before sunset," explained Kleiver as Dark hopped into the driver's seat and Light and Keira got in the passenger side. Veger sat indifferently on Kleiver's shoulder, much like Jak and Daxter had been back in the good days.
"Thank you Kleiver," said Keira faintly, Kleiver slightly reminding her of Krew.
"My assistance was present as well," huffed Veger.
"You're quite welcome, mate," answered Kleiver, whacking Veger on the back of the head.
Dark revved the engine with a maniacal smirk on his face. This was going to be quite a ride.
Keira yelped again as the Dune Hopper soared over a few Marauder vehicles, its front cutting through the air. With a loud thud, the buggy landed, bouncing twice before righting itself. Dark slammed on the gas pedal, desperately racing away from the burning shots of red eco chased after the buggy. Keira stared out across the desert at Haven City looming on the horizon, the walls silhouetted against the clear blue sky. It had been such a long time since she'd been back in the city.
After a time, Dark slowed the Dune Hopper, eventually stopping it all together. He parked it neatly, and turned it off, hopping out of the transport.
'An airlock is just ahead.'
The great, gray door parted and closed after them as they waited in the airlock for the door to the city to open.
"This way to the H.Q.," motioned Keira. Together the trio strolled through the streets to the H.Q. where they would be staying.
"Your father and Onin are there already?" inquired Light.
"Oh, I forgot! It will be nice to see Daddy again," commented Keira.
'Sounds wonderful,' Dark moaned.
"Oh stuff it, Dark."
Dark frowned in mock pouting, and sneered at how effectively his guilt-trip worked on Keira. When she realized what he'd been doing, Keira rolled her eyes in aggravation and ignored him until they reached the H.Q.
Dark clicked his claws constantly on his armored arm, waiting impatiently as the elevator ascended to the main floor of the H.Q. The elevator stopped, giving a satisfying squeak, and the doors exposed Samos standing near the table in the center of the room. He lifted his eyes up, and smiled in delight at the sight of his daughter.
"Daddy!" Keira embraced her father as Light and Dark leaned on the other side of the table. Turning from his only child to the two entities opposite him, he addressed them in a grave tone:
"I'm relieved that you two are safely here in Haven City. Jak will attack Spargus any day now because he hasn't gotten what he wants. Be sure to lay low for a bit and stay in the area, you two."
With a nod acknowledging what Samos had said, Light wandered off to find open quarters for himself.
'Have you heard any news of the Wastelander Arrah since we left the Desert City, Spargus?' questioned Dark.
"I'm afraid I haven't, Dark Jak. But you know what they say, no news is good news," answered Samos.
'Somehow I do not believe that the specific saying is correct in this situation.'
"Quite true."
'…I'm going for a walk.'
"Actually, that sounds good. I think I'll come with you, Dark," agreed Keira.
Dark rounded on her, forgetting that she'd been present. He shook his head, trying to get across that he wanted to go alone.
Keira narrowed her eyes. "Where do you plan on going?"
'Around the city. I hadn't planned on going anywhere specific.'
"Right."
Dark cringed guiltily, but headed towards the door, and when no one stopped him, stepped on the elevator and watched as the door automatically closed in his face.
"That liar! He's going to the Wasteland," Keira murmured, half to herself.
Dark slammed on the breaks of the Dune Hopper, gazing out at the faint outline of Jak's ship. He stepped out of the buggy, cautiously approaching the rocket. The going was slow, but it was the price of being stealthy and possibly getting out alive and rescuing Arrah.
He slid sneakily into the ship, creeping ever so slowly to where he thought Arrah might be. Closing his eyes and taking in a deep burst of air through his nose, he sensed that she was farther in and to his left. Following his own directions, Dark continued on, surprised to have not seen anyone or anything let alone Jak or Ashelin.
He'd thought too soon. Dark detected large footfalls from down the corridor. Thrashing his head around wildly for an escape, he barreled into an empty room and shut the door in a rush, trying his best to be silent.
A strange, bipedal being thudded past him, oblivious to Dark's presence. Curious, Dark opened the door and snuck after the being. The two passed through several hallways until finally they stepped into a large hall. Dark gasped.
The being turned around in a rush, puzzled when it saw nothing. Dark breathed lightly in the corner, thanking whatever gods there might be for his power of dark invisibility. The creature shrugged, and continued on into the large hall. There, nearly two thousand beings of different races resided, like an army waiting to be called into action. Dark knew that this couldn't be any good news for citizens of Haven and Spargus. He was stunned.
Jak really plans on going to war over me?
Okay, how was that? Somehow, I think it was wicked stupid and just total, flat out "blah" writing. I'm losing it, I tell ya! This took me nearly 2 hours to write, and it's not even that long! It must be Writer's Block. I've never experienced that before. I have this whole story planned out, too. Unbelievable, I'm actually suffering from a mild form of Writer's Block. That's what it must be!
Sorry, sorry, dearly sorry that you had to hear my little "rant" there. Oh, by the way, I'm thinking that I might run a fic challenge for Dark Jak Fics Archive. If anyone is interested, please just say so, and I'll post the challenge in a whole new story thing. Ok, K'sani out!
REVIEW!