Talking...Can't understand. Something about Dark Eco Treatments. AAAAARRRRG! Pain...So much pain. 'Get the other one. She seems to be different than this one.' Yeah...Anyone but me.

Jak sat straight up, panting. His blankets were tangled around him and half of them lay in the floor. He ran his shaky fingers through his long blonde hair. Daxter opened an eye for a moment then got up.

"You alright?" The orange rodent asked sleepily.

Jak scared Daxter sometimes, especially since he came out of the Baron's Prision. The once innocent boy was something entirely different. Jak took a deep breathe.

"I think there were others that survived besides me. I...I heard them say 'Get the other one. She seems different than this one.' I don't know though."

"Maybe, I don't think so. It'd take one hard nut to survive what you did." Daxter said with a shrug as he watched his friend. Jak laid back down and sighed. He would kill Baron Praxis for what he had done.

The next morning came bright and early thanks to the Tattooed Wonder, as Daxter liked to call Torn. "What now?" Daxter said irritatedly. He had long since gotten tired of the (overly) dangerous missions that Torn sent them on. Jak crossed his arms.

"What do you want us to blow up, destroy, or kill now?" Torn grinned at Jak's comment. The boy was always to the point he thought as he thumbed his dagger, and then his grin turned into a scowl.

"Something has been killing my men. The killings look like something a metal head would do, just worse. The word on the wire is that it's happening to the Krimson Guard as well. I want whatever the hell it is dead and I want it's head on a silver platter!" He slammed his fist on the table, causing Daxter to jump. Daxter hoped onto the table and began to start in on one of his rants.

Jak interrupted him. "A silver platter I can't do, but I can deliver its head."

Torn nodded slowly and pulled out one of the many maps he had, "It's been attacking in the general area of the palace." He traced out an area on the map with his finger. "The attacks that I know about have been here, here, here, and here." He pointed out a few spots on the map. Jak nodded, then turned and walked out of the Underground Hideout.

"So what do ya think it is, Jak?" Daxter asked as he clung to Jak's shoulder armor. Jak gave a shrug of indifference.

"Hell if I know. I doubt it's a metal head. They can't get past the eco shields. So it has to be something else." At this point, he went silent as he tried to decide which place they should investigate first. As much as he wanted to strike a damaging blow to the Baron, a side mission like this was a welcome change. The grunt work that Torn sent them on was annoying at times.

Across the city, near the Palace, something perched on a rooftop, hidden in the shadows. Softly the being growled as purple energy crackled around it. The ominous purple energy was none other than Dark Eco. The energy continued to crackle around the creature, striking the wall behind it, leaving black marks like low grade explosives would make. Glowing green eyes watched the people below who were oblivious of its presence. It looked towards the horizon; the sun had not rose yet, still time for a kill. Crouching, it leapt onto the wall, leaving deep holes where its claws had been.

A Krimson Guard was slacking off on the job, the city was worthless to protect. He saw no point in patrolling, nothing happened at night anyway. The Guard leaned against the alley wall smoking a cigarette, bored; he waited for the shift change so he could head back to the barracks. The monster eyed him a moment before pouncing. The Guard never knew what hit him. His skull broke open on the cement due to the force of the jump. The dark creature ripped him open, not bothering to eat anything. Blood sprayed the walls and entrails lined the floor of the alley. The people outside, avoided the alley, and averted their eyes. Five minutes later, the creature was gone, and off to it's lair in the tall, old bell tower in the slums.

On his way to the palace, Jak got a message from none other than Krew.

"Jak, I want you to get a package from an associate of mine. If he doesn't give it to you willingly, ah...You know what to do." Krew then clicked off. With a low growl of annoyance, Jak changed directions and started heading towards the 'associate' was. The place was a run down house in the slums, judging by the directions.

"Joy. We get to play delivery boys...Again!" Daxter complained loudly.

Once at the slums, Jak knocked on the door to the house and waited for a few moments. Finally, the door was answered by a mousey older man who upon seeing Jak gave a squeak of fear.

"C-can I help you?"

"Krew wants his package." The blonde replied, crossing his arms. The man gave another squeak before scuttling into the house and returning shortly with a poorly wrapped package. It was quickly given to the young hero.

"Here it is. J-just don't kill me!" The door was then slapped shut. The two outside blinked a few times before looking at each other. Shaking his head, Jak tucked the package into a small pack he had before grabbing a zoomer and heading to The Hip Hog Saloon. The package was delivered to the floating tub of lard. Krew only grunted at them and sent the two on their less than merry way. Jak, however, was happy to get back to hunting down the creature. He was curious to know what it was.