Sharok: Because our idiotic author here won't shut her sorry face, I'll be taking over here...first, she'd like to thank the two reviews she got for the last Chapter, even though it was the most pathetic attempt ever (Hand flick thing) and second, she'd like to say that this chapter is much longer to make up for the crummy attempt last time. Also seeing it's Chrissy in less than a day so she wanted to somehow give ya all somethin'
Corad: (Still screaming at nothing. Kinda sounds like Homer Simpson when he remembers that childhood memory at the qaurry when he was 12)
Sharok: Yeah...another thing, if you want to read JakLover's: Warriors Shadow and Light, then we recommend it. She's an excellent writer, and has begun to write a fic containing these wolves, including Skytha :) So if you guys love these wolves and Skytha, you're missing out if ya haven't read it yet. Now...Corad Hog Slag doesn't own Jak and Daxter...she claims she never will...which I hope is true (sweatdrops)
Chapter 47 – Jinx's search Party
"Alright, get in," Jak barked, pointing in the passenger side of Torn's hellcat. He watched Erol approach the vehicle eagerly, before jumping in with one swift movement. Why he wanted to bring Erol wasn't really decided, but he figured if they ran into any trouble, at least he'd have someone to watch his ass (err…not literally…of course (nervous glancing)).
"You know Jak, you can lighten up. I thought we'd agreed no hostility," Erol muttered as Jak moved forward and sat down in the driver's seat. Jak rolled his eyes at him while fumbling around for the ignition. He found it after a few hasty minutes, and flicked on the hover switch, sending the hellcat a foot higher.
"Just because I can't show hostility, doesn't mean we're friends," Jak replied with a simple shrug, grasping hold of the steering wheel/joystick and turning it around slightly to get the vehicle off the pavement. He heard Erol snort back, but other than that the trip was somewhat silent until the security walls approached them. It was after the hellcat soared over the top did Erol finally speak out.
"So, where exactly are we heading?" he asked, turning his slightly puzzled face to Jak. Yes, where exactly were they going? Torn had said something about the city of Spargus, but Jak had a feeling it may just be a complete waste of time stopping by. He however followed his leader's directions, and glanced sideways at the other elf.
"Spargus," he growled, while fiddling with the controls trying to get the hellcat higher up. He could feel the sand lashing out at his face as it swirled around in the wind, and figured if he could get the hellcat high enough, then maybe he'd be able to breath.
"Spargus…that Waste Lander city…total wreck that place. Not civilized one bit…should have destroyed it instead of aiming for Haven," Erol snorted, sending a slight pulse of rage through Jak. The blonde elf gritted his teeth to hold back an angry outburst. He couldn't afford to have argument with Erol right now. His "friendship" was vital, and he knew arguing with him would only lead to a heavy dispute that could last a long time.
"It's not a total wreck ok…my father used to live there, so back off," Jak said calmly, before grasping hold of his red scarf and tugging it up around his mouth and nose, giving him more freedom to breath. He then took hold of his goggles, and slid them down his forehead before his eyesight was reduced to one.
"I didn't think you'd have a father," Erol retorted, a hint of venom in his voice. Jak stayed calm, and tried to think of other things. He wanted to rise above this argument, and instead began humming the same song he had heard that mysterious elf hum back in the cave.
"I know that song…when I was a young teen, I heard the ruler of Haven city sing it. He seemed like a drag at times, but compared to Baron Praxis…" Erol murmured, smiling to himself. Jak raised an eyebrow at him. If Erol could only see the look of shock on Jak's face right now.
"You knew the Ruler of Haven city before Praxis?" he asked curiously, pulling down his scarf so he could speak clearly. He watched as Erol gave a small laugh, and turned his burning eyes to him.
"Yes, yes I did…I was about 12 when he was thrown off the thrown…Baron Praxis had apparently betrayed him somehow…at times I'd see him strolling the streets wearing that crown of his…his staff held up high in royalty…how I loathed the sight…but against Baron Praxis, it was a sad sight to see him gone," Erol replied. Jak smiled faintly, realizing the truth in Erol's voice.
"My father…" Jak mumbled, sighing at the thought of his father sitting in Haven's throne, beaming at the crowds of people who were there to pay their tributes. If his father had somehow kept the city under his rule, then maybe he'd still be alive. Maybe he, Jak, would be living luxury right now.
"Your father? Your father was Haven's pre-ruler? How strange," the other man muttered, leaning back in his seat in deep thought. Jak didn't feel the need to disrupt him in any way, and instead focused on driving the hellcat to Spargus. Their main mission was to locate Jinx, not reminisce on the past, and by even thinking of his dead father, Jak felt nagging guilt somewhere inside him. His father's death had been his fault, and he knew it. If he hadn't have summoned the waste Lander's help to get through the metal heads and dark makers…if he had only steered the Ram Rod from the incoming missile, then his father would still be alive.
"You seem quiet? That's a first." Jak was pulled from his thoughts at the sound of Erol's taunting voice. He peered out the corner of his eye to see Erol watching him intently, his expression too hard to read. Jak was debating whether Erol was confused about Damas' relation to him, or whether he wouldn't believe it.
"It's nothing. We have a job to do. That's to find Jinx," Jak replied monotonously, keeping his eyes fixed ahead of him. The time taken to travel to Spargus by Air Train was around 20 minutes, and the rate at which the hellcat was traveling, the time should be reduced. Pointing this out, Jak searched over the horizon, and could just make out the tall, flaming chimney of the Spargus throne.
"Almost there…I can see it," he said, giving the hellcat slightly more speed. He saw Erol grip onto the side of the hellcat, obviously alarmed to have picked up more speed. The relief of finally approaching Spargus was overwhelming, seeing Jak could at least have the knowledge on whether Jinx made it or not. "Once we're in, stay at my side. No wandering off, and no causing fights," Jak snapped, reducing the speed as he flew swiftly over the walls of the wasteland city.
Lowering the hellcat gently to the ground sent sand and dust flying into the air, and a few of the citizens evacuated the area after choking to breathe. Jak heard Erol snigger to himself, but ignored his sense of carelessness and landed the vehicle on the ground, switching the engine off immediately afterwards to reduce any casualties to passer-Byers.
The city now seemed slightly deserted, but Jak was fine with that. It would grant him more movement this way, and having Erol by his side, he felt a pining sense of worry in his gut. Maybe it was the fact that these people around him loathed the ex-commander, and would see fit that he be put to death, or maybe he knew Erol was prone to getting into unwanted and unnecessary fights. Either way, Jak was just pleased to have some space to inform Sig.
"Where to now? I don't appreciate being here Jak…these people all deserve to die for defying the Baron," Erol sneered, getting shakily out the hellcat and glancing around. Jak shook his head irritably and lifted himself from the hellcat too before securing his morph gun to his back. He began on his way to the Throne room, Erol by his side still giving innocent citizens death glares.
"Must you make a scene? This is important…for once just act like a human being," Jak scowled, taking the path past the arena stairs and continuing on, now aware the Erol had fallen behind slightly. "Erol, did you hear me!" he cried in frustration, whirling around to see Erol gaping up at the Arena, a mad glint in his eyes.
"I've heard of this place…the arena to test strength and purity. Mind if I take a look?" he asked, making a move to head up the stairs. Jak rolled his eyes, feeling anger and impatience swell up inside his chest. Erol had no chance to even enter the building, for Jak had forcefully grabbed his forearm and was dragging him back down the stairs and to the Throne room. They had no time to be screwing around, and Jak was now regretting bringing the nuisance he once called "Erol".
After finally reaching the Throne room entrance, and had boarded the wooden lift, Jak warned Erol to grab hold of something to steady himself. Unfortunately for Erol, he didn't understand Jak's request and was sent flying into the wooden floor as the lift rose up to the next level. "I warned you," was all Jak said when he stepped off the lift and onto some large stepping stones arranged to form a small barrier.
Erol clambered out after him, dusting his hands off on his pants. "Now, make sure you don't fall in, because I don't think Torn would appreciate you traveling back in his hellcat drenched," Jak mocked, pointing to the water trickling over rocks before them. Erol groaned in return, giving Jak a dark look into the back of his head.
"Just get moving," he sneered, nudging Jak's back. Jak hopped across the stepping stones, and arrived in front of the Throne where Sig sat, indulged in what looked like a scroll.
"Um, Sig…" Jak asked, stepping up to the new ruler of Spargus city. The large man lifted his gaze, and smiled at Jak's determined face whilst lowering the scroll to the ground. He also took note that Erol was behind him, and almost jumped out his throne in shock.
"You're alive? Didn't you die out in the wasteland when Jak kicked your sorry ass again?" Sig boomed, raising his "eyebrow" towards the scowling Elf.
"Nah, he's alive now…made a deal with them precursors to attain his old form back. But enough of that, Sig…have you seen or heard from Jinx lately? He was sent out on a mission to inform you of a recent discovery," Jak said solemnly, moving over to make room for Erol to stand beside him. Sig fell silent, his gaze dropping to the floor in thought.
"I'm sorry chili pepper, but I haven't seen him in…ages…" Sig replied, looking back up in time to see Jak's face fall in defeat. "Why was he sent out here?"
Jak kept his voice calm, and launched into his explanation on the trouble back at Haven. "Wolves have been attacking the people in Haven city, and Torn felt if best to warn you guys in case…well…they target you next. He sent Jinx out with backup, and he hasn't checked back in. Torn reckons he's been gone for about a day now. Are you sure he hasn't been here?"
"Like I said Jak…haven't seen him. I'll help you find him if that's what you're worried about. I'll gather up some men to go search, but whether he's out there or not," Sig offered, raising from his throne, forcing Jak and Erol to back up a couple of steps.
"No…no, he might have returned to Haven by now. I can't put your men in any danger. We can't take any risks here…I'll inform Torn if I don't spot him on the way back, and see his judgment on the situation. Thanks anyway Sig," Jak said quietly, turning around to head back over to the lift.
"Jak, come to me if you need any help. Remember, my men are the strongest around. Just give us a call cherries," the ruler said loudly, waving back at Jak and Erol as they boarded the lift. Jak nodded in return, and clung onto the pole as the lift descended. He was glad that Erol had finally taken his advice, and was grabbing hold of another pole.
Once the lift came to a halt, Jak and Erol leap off and ran back to the hellcat, the citizens eying them suspiciously as they did so. Now wasn't the time however to be caring what others thought. Now was the time to Panic O.O
"Jak, slow down! Why are we in such a rush!" Erol yelled out, falling behind once again. By the looks of things, he had lost some of his fitness due to malnutrition and lack of proper military training. But Jak couldn't care right now. He had one thing on his mind, and that was to find Jinx. Whether it'd be dead or alive, he still vowed to find him.
"Get in! Quick!" Jak roared, seating himself hastily back in the driver's seat, and switching on the engine. The hellcat came to life, raising off the ground and blowing sand around once more. Erol struggled to get in, the sand whipping at him as he approached the vehicle. After finally seating himself and resting his head warily on the seat, Jak drove the hellcat back over the walls and into the wasteland.
"Keep your eyes open at all times! He's out here, and we're gonna find him!" Erol groaned at Jak's request, and lifted his head from the seat to look down below at the dunes speeding below them. The unwavering look implanted on Jak's somber face indicated to Erol that Jak meant it all. Why someone like Jinx would mean so much to a guy, was beyond Erol's mind limit, but he settled on the decision that Jak was just the type of guy that found it hard to let go, even if it were a lost cause.
The time flew by since the two had left Spargus, and the heat was penetrating both the men. Jak occasionally glanced back at Erol, to see him resting his head on the back of the seat. He just hoped the other elf wasn't asleep or anything, for he needed both sets of eyes to search the area.
His question of Erol's alertness was answered when the ex-commander shot up, his body rigid and his eyes wide. Jak raised an eyebrow, glancing down in the direction Erol was looking, to spot a metal wreck in the sand. Horrorstruck, he realized it was Jinx's hellcat, and landed their vehicle in a mad rush before jumping out.
Erol ran out the hellcat after Jak, and both men stopped beside the wreckage, their breathing coming to an almost stop as they felt the sense of shock overflow them.
Corad: (sitting there with a bored expression)
Sharok: Yeah, so that's our new update. Seems Corad got bored with screaming, so now she's just sitting there...beer gut and all...
Corad: Ya get outta it, you! (throws can at Sharok's head, which rebounds pathetically and falls to the floor with a faint clinking sound)
Sharok: Nice try, fatty. Now, if you guys wanna leave a review. She kinda kept going with this chapter, so it's like...an extra 1000 words or so. But she felt she owed it to you guys for the miserable attempt in the previous chapter. Actually, you couldn't really call it a chapter...more like a paragraph...
Corad: (Xena war cries as she attempts to get up to kill her creation, but fails)
Sharok: O.O O...kay...we have a loony living here now. Um, we all wish you guys a merry Christmas too! Stay safe, and we'll see yas next update :)
Corad: Urrrggggghhhhhh...(attempts to wave goodbye but also fails)
