Corad: My head hurts...why is everything spinning...why can't I do anything right...why do I smell...(two hours later) Geez this place is wierd...I mean, look at them cheese flagons prancing around as if they own the place...mmmmm...cheese flagon (drools) Ok, now that's outta my crazy system, I'll get moving. You guys aren't hear to read my pathetic problems, so heh...yeah...thanks to everyone who reviewed. To Chris, I guess cliff hanger thingies are kinda addictive...so maybe I've experienced too many of them and now I'm hooked...but sorry for leaving ya there again...maybe I'm too low...(shows self falling through solid ground) Errr...how is that even possible? Nyeh...thanks to everyone too who had a look at my Mascara Rage on Fanart...poor, defencless, physcotic Erol...at times it feels like the world's against him...maybe coz it is...but yeah, I drew a pic of Femaxis...those of you who read Palace Stories will know who she...errrr...he is, so when that's colored it'll be going up too for you guys to look at. Also, in answer to Shizuko, the time of day is...um, probably around 11.00am...he woke up and talked to Skytha and stuff, so probably around that time...other than that...

Don't own, never will...so you're all safe for another week...
Chapter 39 – Racing At Last

The racing zoomer sped away from the starting line, its engine roaring as it picked up speed. The other racers around him had their heads down, their set determination visible beneath their racing masks and helmets. But little did they know they would lose. Jak was not going to let another soul win. He pushed his zoomer on further, the speed dial reading 90km/h. 'You can go faster than that,' he thought, once again turning the handle bar a little more, until he was traveling 100km/h. He knew that was a dangerous speed on this track, especially with other racers around him, and all the corners he had to take, but the courage burning within him wouldn't let him slow down. The brake in his mind was out of reach.

The first corner. He could see it up ahead, twisting out of sight. 'How to take this…How to take this…" he thought in desperation, moving into the inner side of the track, and slammed on his brakes and turned the handle bars away from the fast approaching wall. The zoomer beneath him skidded around the corner at too fast a speed, and narrowly missed the end wall. He felt relieved when he pulled out of the turn, his speed rising to meet 100km/h again.

He could feel something inside his veins pulsing painfully. What was it? Lust for first place? Hatred to the other racers who were also competing? Jak wasn't sure, but he was beginning to suspect Erol had once felt like this, back when he was lead racer. But now Jak was lead racer, and he wanted to keep that title.

"Watch out Jak! Gotta watch that idiot behind us!" Daxter yelled out over the zoomer's roaring engine, and the rapid wind tearing at his face. Jak turned his head quickly to the side, and saw a racer nearing closer and closer to him, even though he was going at hell's speed.

"No you won't!" Jak snarled from beneath his mask, yanking the handle bars over till he was sitting right in front of the other racer. He heard an angry cry from behind, but Jak sniggered quietly, tightening his grip on the bar. He pushed the zoomer 10 km/h faster down a long stretch of track, the engine roaring louder as it crept up speed. Daxter yelled out that the other racer had fallen behind, but Jak still kept at his speed, not wanting to slow down and risk the racer catching up again.

'Another corner…great' the elf thought, moving into the inside of the bend again, and loosening his grip on the handle bars, dropping speed. He slammed on the brakes, and felt the familiar sensation of the zoomer swerving around the corner, the track traveling sideways beneath him. He pulled out from the corner once again unharmed, and brought up his speed, maintaining it until he met another bend.

Jak could feel his pure determination overriding his sense. Nothing else mattered right now. Only the victory that would soon be his. Daxter had turned around a few times ever since he lost the first guy, and reported that everyone else was at least 50 meters back. But 50 meters could easily be caught up. He knew that from his own experience. One mistake, and he'd be back, battling it out with the others.

The track kept bending, and Jak kept steering smoothly, controlling the zoomer like a professional (even though he kinda is). He took corners easily from practice, gaining speed faster after pulling out of each one. He could reach 120km/h now down long stretches of track, and he knew for certain that this race was his. He just felt it. "Hey Jak, who's that? That's not…Erol, is it?" Daxter cried out, after Jak had passed the starting line for the second time. Jak flicked his eyes above, and saw Erol watching intently from above the track. Jak also noticed a small grin of support written on his face, although he only managed to look at him for a split second.

"Yeah, Dax! That's Erol alright! Probably wishing he could be racing again!" Jak shouted in reply, once again gaining more ground as he risked 125km/h. He was wondering why Erol was actually watching the race. He thought for a moment that he wanted to compete, but knew his past fate was caused at the end of the race, when Jak had won the first class. He couldn't see why Erol would want to venture anywhere near the stadium after that, since he had his accident here. 'But maybe it's in his blood to race. Maybe he can't keep away,' Jak's mind was saying again, wanting to know why his new comrade was here. 'He's not even allowed out on his own! You heard Ashelin, remember!' a low growl spat out, and Jak snarled out loud.

'You're right Dark, but stay out of my head!' his mind shouted out, and he heard his Dark side laugh maliciously before retreating back into his deep mind. He couldn't handle having an argument with Dark right now. He needed to concentrate on the race, on the track, and didn't want to crash or lose because of his eco fueled self.

"You ok buddy? Seem kinda tense?" Orange lightening shouted out, noticing his friend's tensed up shoulders. Jak grunted in reply, and slammed the brakes hard again as he took out another corner. The zoomer swerved dangerously close to the wall, but he got lucky and pulled away without harm. He glanced back at the racers behind, and saw they were becoming desperate to keep up. Jak gritted his teeth, and gained more speed, the vibrating engine burning through him.

He laughed loudly, feeling his small sense of freedom erupt at the sight of a crashed zoomer, the racer lying in a mess a few meters away. He furrowed his brow, a large smirk appearing behind his mask. If Daxter saw him like this, he knew his friend would be scared. Maybe the race was finally taking its toll on his mind.

Jak took a few more laps, still with no competition from the other racers. He knew he was too good for them. Knew they'd lose just at the look of them. But Jak couldn't let his pride risk his win. 'One crash…one false turn of the corner…one more look at Erol glaring down at me…and I'm done for,' Jak thought, after taking note it was his last lap, the most important lap of the race. He drew his speed up high as usual along the long straight stretches, and braked hard around corners. Doing his technique had managed to work for him, and he could see the finish line ahead, Keira standing to the side with a small trophy grasped in her hands.

Jak and Daxter both smiled widely, the finish line nearing closer and closer. Loud cheers echoed across the stadium as he crossed the line, and skidded to a halt a few meters away from Keira. Jak flipped up his mask, and wiped away dust and sweat that had gathered on his cheeks and forehead. He beamed at the sight of Keira wandering up to him, the trophy outstretched in her hands.

"Congratulating Racer number 7! Jak!" a voice said loudly across the spectators, and Keira handed him the small cup. The bronze plating glinted in the light, and Jak held it up high, loud cheers of support and joy meeting his ears. Daxter grabbed hold of the cup and looked at it himself. He was caught up in the moment of victory; he didn't notice Erol approach him, a look of pleasure on his face.

"Good driving Jak," he said as he came to a stop beside Jak, still sitting on the zoomer. Jak looked up at him, an eyebrow raised. "What? No sarcastic comment?" Jak snapped, taking the trophy from Daxter and gripping it tightly. Erol rolled his eyes, and rested his hands on the zoomer's fro windshield.

"I mean it Jak. You're exactly how I was…full of so much passion for racing, speed is all that matters. I saw you take those corners from above. Swerving with the bend at ease…just like me…" Erol muttered, a teasing smile on his face. Jak growled, before getting off the zoomer and handing his mask back to Daxter.

"Funny Jak…you've even got a complimentary mask to go with your attitude," Erol laughed darkly, watching as the ottsel fiddled around with the mask trying to attach it back on the morph gun. Jak strolled past Erol, thrusting an arm into his front to get him out the way. He walked away from him, his eye twitching unpleasantly.

"Just ignore him Jak. No way in the world will you ever be like him," Daxter said in reassurance, attempting to get his friend in a cheery mood again. Jak stopped walking, and glanced back at Erol who was admiring the racing zoomer. "It's not that Dax…it's just…I think he's right. I felt something within my mind while I raced just then. Something that I'd never felt before. It was like courage and determination was overcoming sense of safety and…I don't know, but I felt like I had to keep speeding to survive. I ignored the risk, and put our lives at danger. Last thing I want is to become that idiot…although…I think I am…" Jak said quietly, lowering his head and gaze to the ground.

Daxter patted him on the shoulder, trying to ease him up a little. "That happens to everyone Jak. It's no big deal. Just because you experience some competitive thoughts doesn't make you Erol," the ottsel murmured, and Jak sighed loudly, looking up at Keira talking with Erol about something. Jak wondered what it was about, but decided to leave before fans ran up to him and blocked his path.


Corad: Um...I kinda...yeah...was that chapter ok? It seemed to have stuff in it which wasn't just talking, so maybe it did have reasonable action in it. How I wish to write another killing scene...heheheh, maybe I will...or maybe...you all would love to see Erol get torn to shreds...torn...? Torn? TORN! (shows Torns sitting at desk with a scared expression on his tattooed face) Heh, why am I so idiotic? Maybe that coffee did this to me...I'll get you! (shakes fist at empty coffee mug) I'll get you good, and then I'll get you even more...heh, you can run, but you can't glide!

Torn: I think it's official...the idiot has finally lost the plot...although, did she ever have it?

Erol: I'd say no...

Jak: Hey guys...what ya talking about?

Erol and Torn: (nervous eye glancing) Err...nothing...

Sharok: (appears outta nowhere...preferably he knicked off with Praxis' magic "pixie" dust) If ya want to review, then go ahead, but the way Miss Moron is carrying on, you'd probably rather just run for your lives after reading this...either way, she'll get off her lazy backside and update soon...or she'll pay (sounds of many guns loading).