Chapter XXXV: The City Race
LES: Okay, next comes the Race through the City against that damn Erol. You have no idea how much I just wanted to have Erol drive into a wall and die. But he still has a purpose to serve. This chapter isn't the longest one I've written, in fact, it might be the shortest one for this story! This one's probably just a filler, but considering I'm uploading it with six other chapters, you guys better not complain!
Jak walked back into the Hip Hog. He had spent the whole ride over going over his mental list of weapons he now had at his disposal. The list was quite impressive and Jak was sure that he could never master all of them in one lifetime. One thing was sure, Jak would never grow bored again.
Jak walked up to the bar and Krew floated up behind him. Without even turning around, Jak asked. "What do you want this time, Krew?"
"So, now you're mind readers?" Krew asked. "But, you guessed correctly. I do want you to do something for me. Great job in the races, making it this far alive, however… I want you to throw the Championship Race… just let Erol win, eh."
Jak's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You bet against us?"
"Jak, Jak, it's just business, eh." Krew said. "You've become a symbol to those townies, and they are rallying about you as a leader. They'll bet anything on a glimmer of hope."
"Those townies see me as a lot of things." Jak said. "But a 'leader' and 'a glimmer of hope' are not one of those things."
"That is where you are mistaken, dear boy." Krew said. "These people have lived for years under Praxis' tyranny, too afraid to fight back, and those with the courage were horribly out-numbered. But, then you stepped onto the scene. A man so openly defiant against the Baron, that people can't help but hope that you will be the one to end his reign of terror. So, what do you say, my boy? What better time to make a little money?"
"I say you're going to lose a lot of money." Jak said. "Because I'm going to race, and I intend to win."
Krew growled in fury. "Why you little…! You're becoming more trouble than you're worth, eh! I wouldn't get too comfy if I was you… EVERYONE'S expendable!"
"Krew, the day you betray me is the day I stab this knife…" Jak materialized a long dagger out of thin air, and this seemed to put Krew off slightly, as he paled more than usual. "…In your back. Then I'll be the one making the threats. Besides, if you were smart, you would have made sure you knew I would throw the race before making bets on it." Krew floated away, growling and his place was taken by someone of an even less savory nature. It was Erol.
"In a hurry to die, boy?" He sneered. "Oh, but we don't have to wait for the big race! We can do this right now, one-on-one, through the City using accelerator rings. Hit every ring from start to finish or it's over!" Erol paused, a smile tugging at his lips as the Dark Dagger disappeared. "Keira already thinks you're a loser. Why in the world would she want to be with you when she's got someone like me! And I will prove that you are nothing but a glorified freak and a loser, once and for all!"
Jak glared straight back at Erol. "You know my feelings for her?"
"Of course." Erol said. "It was only a simple matter of having some tail you after the last race. You practically shouted it for the whole street to hear."
Jak glared at Erol, his eyes narrowing. His urge to kill him right then and there was rising. "She may not care for me the way she used to…" Jak said slowly. This was possibly the hardest thing he had ever said. "And she may even wish me nothing less than a thousand painful deaths like the rest of this damned City. But I will die before I see her with the likes of you!"
"You'll be dead in a few months anyway. So what's the difference?" Erol sneered. "What's the matter? Afraid to die without her knowing the truth about your feelings… about everything?"
"Not quite." Jak hissed. "I'm afraid to die before killing you because that would leave her at your mercy… or your lack of mercy. Am I right when I say that the only reason you haven't done something stupid like rape her is because of me? Because I'd come after you with more rage and power than the devil himself?"
"The Devil?" Erol laughed. "You're powerful, Number Eleven, but not that powerful."
"News flash: I am the Devil!" Jak hissed. "I see it every time I look in a mirror." Jak looked into the mirror at his Dark reflection, and Erol saw it too, the demonic creature that Jak had the power to turn into. Jak turned back to Erol. "So, are we going to race, or chat?"
"Race." Erol spat, walking out. Jak followed him.
Erol hopped on his own zoomer while Jak stole one that was sitting outside the bar.
Erol gave some last-minute instructions. "The Rings go from here to the Stadium. No second hover zone allowed, only ground level. Miss even one ring, and it'll be over for you."
"You can make up as many rules as you want, but I'll still win." Jak said. Erol snorted.
"Three… two… one… GO!" Erol yelled and Jak accelerated, quickly pulling ahead of Erol. The first right was dead ahead and Jak headed for it. As he drove through, the zoomer received a sudden boost of speed, almost causing Jak to lose control as he did not expect it. But he gained control, but Erol had pulled ahead of him before he managed to get back on coarse.
"AUGH!" Jak roared as he gave chase.
The final ring was dead ahead! Jak and Erol, after a long race, were neck and neck! Both throttles were at maximum as the two zoomed toward the finish line.
Suddenly, Jak realized that Erol had made a mistake with the rules. He hadn't banned sabotage. Jak had already proven several times that he didn't care much for the rules anyway. A deadly mistake on Erol's part.
Quickly concentrating on the dagger, the weapon conjured in his hand. Jak then wasted no time in slicing through a bunch of pipes and wires that looked important. (Hey, he wasn't Keira, after all.)
Turns out, they were important as Erol's zoomer simply stopped working. "Damn…" Erol tried to swear, but it was too late. The zoomer crashed and skidded to a stop ten feet from the last ring. Jak, however, flew through the last ring to win. Jak zoomed back over to the wreckage, from which Erol was rising, unhurt. "AUGHHH!" He raged at nothing in particular.
"Hey." Jak said defensively. "You never said I couldn't cheat a little."
"You may have won this race, freak! But don't get too cocky, outlaw! Next time we race for keeps, and your HEAD will be my TROPHY!" Erol stalked off like the sore loser he was.
"Ah, blow it out yer ear!" Daxter yelled after him. "You were bottle-fed, weren't you?"
LES: Sorry about this shortness of the chapter. I never did like this level anyway…