Corad: Hey guys, I'm back again. I forgot to save this fic to the flashdisk to bring down here to my dad's, but luckily I had a less recent copy saved to the comp. I was too preoccupied with saving anime songs to disk than making sure I had this...geez I'm lame...for those of you who care, I found a site where you can download anime and video game theme songs. Anybody's interested, tell me and I'll give ya the link...it had Fullmetal alchemist MP3s (starts drooling). Thankyou to my kind reviewers too! Yeah, Keira's finally reappeared after a long absence. Don't know where she went, but yeah...she makes another appearance. Lol, I feel sorry for you Somedude! Being called that by your friends. They'll grow tired of it soon lol...hopefully...hahahahaha, oh geez, that's crazy too! We had decided that Samos is gonna be Pinnako in Fullmetal Praxemist too lol. Crazy minds think alike!
I don't own Jak and Daxter, but Sharok is mine to bear hug and destroy (camera zooms out to show Sharok's dead bodyalready in a bear hug) Uh oh...when did that happen? Errr, please enjoy...hey Sharok, get up you idiot! (starts shaking him)
Chapter 60 – To Forgive and Trust
Her eyes, sullen and confused before him. He knew this had been a bad idea. Their friendship would be over, and any hopes he'd had with her would be destroyed. "Jak?" she wept, fear overriding her senses as she backed up away from him.
'Look what you've done! She hates me!' Jak shouted at Light and Dark, his face burning in anger and defeat. Light shook his head, his radiance of serenity caressing Jak's damaged soul. It cheered him up slightly, filling him with a forced ounce of hope. This gave him a strength he had not felt since he had bonded with Light and Dark to conquer the wolf inside him.
"Keira, don't be afraid," Jak mumbled, holding his wolfish head down low and taking a slow, graceful step forward. Keira gasped and rushed back, her arms tightly wrapped around herself as if she was cold. Jak could tell she was panicking though. He could sense the fear around her.
"What have you done with Jak!" Keira cried, tears building up in her eyes. Her voice was broken and shaky, and her frightened face kept glancing around for an escape route.
"I am Jak. Keira, please…I won't hurt you. I never will," he replied, lowering his head to the ground and keeping it down while moving closer to her. She kept fidgeting nervously as Wolfish Jak approached her, until finally he came to a halt no more than a meter from her. "Keira, trust me."
She held her breath, staring down at the large beast before her. What was she doing still out here? She should have run, but instead her heart kept her feet planted on the ground, unwilling to move. She didn't know what had come over her, but next minute, her hand was outstretched, slowly reaching towards Jak's large head.
He had been expecting the worse from his friend, but after feeling a gentle hand rest on his head between his horns, he knew she trusted him. Keeping his head held down low, he waited until Keira had finished stroking his head gently. "You trust me?" his voice was a low growl, but not a threatening one.
"Jak I…I do Jak. I'm sorry," she replied, instantly kneeling on the ground and wrapping her arms around his neck. She buried her face into his warm fur, tightening her grip on him. He felt relief spread through him, and he mentally thanked his two egos for helping out and forcing him to do this.
"But I don't understand…how? Why?" Jak lifted his head, and noted just how close Keira was. His eyes fell to the ground again, and he pulled away from her hug, wandering a few paces.
"I was attacked Keira. We were out hunting metal heads just over a week ago. A wolf came from nowhere, and if it hadn't been for Daxter…I wouldn't be standing before you right now. That beast bit me, and ever since I've been struggling to keep under control. I had wolfish pulsing through my veins, and it even took over my mind before I could tame it. I've come close to killing people and hurting those around me. I was just…scared…"
Shuffling feet behind him told Jak Keira had moved towards him. He sighed, feeling guilt and anger, pain and grief just bubbling up all at once. "Jak, I'm sorry…"
Jak tensed up, Keira's hand resting on his back stroking his fur yet again. He could tell she was trying to comfort him. He enjoyed her gentle touch and turned his head to face her. Even her eyes were now calm.
"Keira, thank you." His voice was weak as he broke away and stood back, memorizing the chant to become elf once again. It was slightly different from the Elfish to Wolfish chant.
"Thy is inside, ringing out the calm and serenity. To become one, wolf must unite with Elf, and together be inseparable. On holy wanderer, transform thy self, and unearth the incomplete mind of the elfish," Jak recited, his voice steady. Keira held back gasps of surprise as Jak reared on his hind legs, howling in pain as the burning in his gut returned. His head began spinning, eyesight dimming and blurring, but he could hear Keira shouting out at him.
Feeling his wings recoil back into his shoulder blades, his tail sinking back into his tail bone, a firm hand rested on one of his front paws. A strong hand which could only belong to Keira. "Keira…" he gasped out, the grey fur receding into his skin to leave a smooth pale pigmented surface. His paws changed back into hands, the claws morphing into small nails while gripping onto Keira's supportive hand.
The two horns grew back into his head, his snout shortening before his appearance had once again changed into an elf. Jak sat panting, his eyes still struggling to focus on his surroundings, but he made out a blurred image of a girl sitting next to him, her heat radiating from her presence. The blonde shuddered, not out of the chilly air, but having just withstood the same pain he'd felt only a short while ago. He noted to space his morphing time out to avoid this sort of pain in the future.
"Jak?" Keira broke through the silence, her hand gripping Jak's more tightly after watching Jak's eyes begin to slide shut. His head began to drop, and Keira shot forward, pulling him into a hug to support him from slipping to the ground completely. His head rested on her shoulder, his chest rising and falling heavily as he struggled for air in his lungs.
Feeling Jak's heartbeat, pounding vigorously beside her, Keira raised a shaking hand and began patting him on the back. He shifted in her embrace, his head finally lifting from her shoulder. "Jak, are you ok?" she asked softly, watching as his eyes began to focus on her. He didn't look as spaced out, and even mumbled at simple "Fine" in reply.
"You had me worried Jak. You could have told me about this…I wouldn't have pushed you away…" Keira began, but stopped when she noticed Jak's arms laying around her neck. Jak pulled her into a hug, soaking in her warmth and reassuring himself it was all ok. Sitting speechless, she decided to return the embrace, and the two sat together on the cold concrete ground, the silence shrouding them amongst the dark.
"If I told you…if you knew…Keira, I just didn't want to lose you. I've lost so much…I just couldn't stand the thought of losing you," Jak replied in a whisper, shuddering against her. Keira frowned, her eyes straying across the ground before lying on two pairs of feet. Darting her eyes up, she spotted Torn and Ashelin, both holding a bag full of food, watching them intensely from outside the underground door.
"Everything ok!" Ashelin shouted, waving to Keira and Jak. Jak was still too preoccupied getting himself together, but Keira waved back, motioning to her they were fine. Nodding, Ashelin led Torn back inside the base, leaving the two alone once more.
"Jak, Ashelin and Torn just went inside," she said, pulling away from Jak and getting to her feet. The blonde shook his head, sighing deeply and slowly before standing shakily himself. He glanced into Keira's eyes, and smiled mentally when he realised they didn't contain hatred or fear at all.
"Keira, thanks," he managed to laugh, taking uneasy strides towards the door. Keira ran up behind him and grabbed hold of his arm to support his balance. Thanking her, the two finally arrived beside the door and waited for it to open. Warm air breezed past their faces and the dim light above the desk with the orange glow from the furnace was enough to light the place up. It looked almost welcoming in Jak's opinion.
"Come on guys! Don't let the heat out!" Torn barked from beside the desk, pulling out numerous items of food from a bag while Ashelin began preparing a sort of rice dish. Jak smiled warmly, and pulled Keira down the stairs, the door sliding behind them locking in the warmth and light once more.
"So, what have you two been up to?" Samos suddenly asked, despite Daxter was currently placing small bits of debris and rubbish in Samos beard without him realising. Both Keira and Jak stayed silent as they settled themselves at the desk, hands locked together. Samos continued to eye them carefully, now in the company of Jinx, who also was scowling at them.
"Anything else Torn?" the governess muttered, grasping a bag of rice along with a few whole vegetables in her hands. Torn gave her a small jar of seasoning, and shook his head. "Well, I'll come back in about 20 minutes. Have the table set," she instructed, before dashing past the leader and disappearing out of sight to the kitchen above.
"Daddy, Jak was just showing me um…" Keira began, trying her hardest to find an excuse in her mind which wouldn't get Jak into trouble. They had continued this conversation whilst Ashelin departed, and still weren't going anywhere with it. Fed up of being questioned, Jak spoke up, his voice as casual as he could muster it.
"Samos, I showed her my wolf form. I know you were against the idea, but I think it's best. I don't want to hurt anyone, especially Keira. I thought it was best she knew," Jak finished, resting his head back on his raised arms. Samos' eyes glinted behind his glasses from Jak to Keira and back again, trying to process the information in his sagely head.
"Well, if you even as much as lay a single finger, on my daughter," Samos began, pointing at Jak and leaning across the table, the rubbish in his beard falling out and littering the table top. "You'll have another thing coming."
Jak exchanged a nervous glance with Keira, who had her forehead resting in her palm. "Father, Jak didn't do anything! In fact, we cleared up a few things. That's all!" she argued back, failing her attempt at reassuring her father she was fine. Torn shuffled over to the desk, prepared to break up the little argument while placing numerous plates and forks down.
"Look Samos, I know how dangerous my wolf mind is, and I though it was…" Jak began, but he was cut off by the old Sage's voice again.
"No buts Jak! I don't want to find you two alone, in the presence of the moon, ever again!" Both Keira and Jak groaned loudly, Samos' glare still switching between them.
"I have my own pendant now! It lets me decide what form I want! Besides, my wolf mind has been conquered. He's part of me now, not opposing me. Please Samos, don't worry," Jak tried to calm him down, trying to look at Samos although he kept finding it difficult due to Torn leaning in past him laying napkins and other items on the table. It was as if he was there, laying the table and interfering their conversation on purpose.
"Yeah green stuff! Cool ya head or you'll give yaself a heart attack!" Daxter chimed in, receiving a full fledged whack over the head, complimentary from Samos himself.
"You keep outta this Daxter! Don't even get me started on the state you're in!" he snapped, prodding the ottsel in the gut painfully with a finger. Beside him, Jak heard Keira sigh heavily. He felt exactly the same way at the current situation, but forced himself to act natural and end this conversation with a simple "I'll be careful Samos."
Satisfied at the turn of events, Samos smiled happily at him and rested his hands on his lap. "Ok, dinner's arrived!" Ashelin called happily, placing a few large bowls of rice and vegetables on the table. Sharok and Jinx both rose from the beds they had been sitting at, feeling it wise to evacuate the area while Samos had his say on things. But as the atmosphere was once again sociable, they dragged a couple more chairs and squeezed themselves amongst the others at the table.
Dinner passed quite quickly, and it was a pleasant experience eating with his friends and enjoying their company. He felt slightly bad for not inviting Erol or Simron along, but figured they'd probably be better off. Erol slightly disliked Samos and Ashelin, and no doubt hated Torn. So Jak figured it was best to keep him at the bar.
"So Keira, will you be staying tonight?" Ashelin asked as she began clearing the table, handing the dirty and empty plates to Torn who retreated upstairs with them. Keira shrugged her shoulders, and remembered that wolf flying overhead. Maybe it was a good idea if she stayed.
"Sure, why not? I don't really feel like going back to my apartment. I don't think my legs could carry me to the stadium now," she replied, feeling a yawn rise up which she released. Jak smiled lightly at her, and lifted himself form the table, feeling drowsy himself. He turned to the beds, trying to figure which one exactly was his own to sleep on, but had the question answered before it even left his mouth.
"You looking for a bed? Well, the one at the far end's free. The one up the top I mean. Where's the orange lad sleeping?" Jak looked over at Daxter who was happily imitating what appeared to be Erol over at the desk.
"Um, I guess he could share with me if there are no spares," Jak replied idly, stretching out his arms and yawning as a wave of fatigued rushed over him. Sharok nodded his head, watching how sleepy the lad really looked.
"Nah, we'll have a spare. Three top bunks are all spares considering I myself occupy a top bed. Torn, Ashelin, Samos and Jinx all reside in the bottom bunks. All too lazy if you ask me," Sharok said lightly, chuckling at an after thought. Jak gave him a small smile in return, before making his way to the far bunks. He was about to hoist himself up to the top bed when he felt a gentle hand grab his arm. He turned his head to see who the arm belonged to and met Keira's sparkling eyes.
"Thought you'd go to sleep without saying goodnight?" she asked, a tiny smile playing on her lips. Jak laughed quietly, and pulled her into a hug.
"Goodnight Keira," he murmured, tightening his hug and resting his head on her shoulder. She began laughing and he pulled away, a confused look spread over his features.
"What's so funny?" he asked, a fine green eyebrow raised above the other.
"You! You're so predictable Jak," Keira replied cheerfully, slapping him playfully on the arm. Jak's confused face twisted into a sly smile and he leaned in quickly, catching her lips in his own. Startled, she gave a small squeak, while Jak wrapped his arms back around her waist. From the other side of the room, still occupying a chair at the desk and being constantly harassed by Daxter, sat Samos. His eyes somewhat glaring daggers at the back of Keira's head, straight through it to Jak's. And the blonde, although caught up in the sudden kiss, could feel it. Breaking apart he leaned slightly around her, and met eyes with Samos.
The sage, usually relaxed and calm, was shaking slightly in his seat out of rage, his face, not the greenish colour we all know and love, was turning red, also out of rage. Fearing for what the sage may actually do, Jak bid Keira a goodnight as a final statement and slipped out of her embrace, clambering up the small ladder knowing that if he reached the top bunk, the old Green man couldn't reach him.
After that, Jak lay staring at the ceiling mere inches above him, feeling sleep engulf his tired body. The quiet muttering soon died down, along with Daxter's shrieking voice aimed at numerous people, such as Samos, Torn who had returned from upstairs, Jinx, and Samos. He even yelled at Sharok who tried to warn him Jak was attempting to sleep. So after that little argument, Jak closed his eyes, and began drifting off. Faint sounds of chair legs scraping along the ground and shuffling of feet sounded distant in the elf's mind, and he rolled over, snuggling his face into the pillow provided for him.
While Jak fell into a relaxed sleep, Jinx got into his own bed, struggling to pull the sheets up over himself due to his cast. Torn however noticed his failing attempts and lent a hand, trying to make him comfortable. Keira had bid her father goodnight, and settled herself on another top bunk beside Jak's. She was facing his turned back, watching him carefully with thoughts running through her mind such as the pain he must have felt because of all this.
Samos and Daxter retreated to bed, Daxter first lying in his own large bed, but feeling out of place leaping across and landing on Jak's. He snuggled up to Jak's sleeping form, burying himself under the covers before dozing off. Sharok began to climb the ladder after removing his samurai waist armour and shin pads, but found it was harder to lift himself up without straining his shoulder wound. Eventually he had to accept help from Torn, who somehow lifted up his legs so the older man could roll onto the top bunk with ease.Torn finally turned to Ashelin; feeling exhausted, and forced a smile to acknowledge her.
"Ashelin, I'll see you tomorrow morning. Goodnight hun," he muttered, patting her on the shoulder before collapsing on the bottom bunk below Sharok's. He fell into an almost instant sleep, while Ashelin stayed beside his bed, her eyes gazing at him in hope. She moved over to the furnace, closing the door and trapping on the heat before taking hold of the rope hanging from the light above the desk. With a quick tug, the light went out, shrouding the place in darkness. After inching her way to her bed, she collapsed on it, her shuddering breath filling the silence as she let out her anger and grief at her current position in affairs.
Corad: Poor, poor Ashfan...
La Flaga: What do you mean poor Ashfan? I'm the one that died!
Corad: Oh yeah, that was so funny...you just like, drifting up in the strike and then getting hit by that earth force beam and blowing up, with your helmet drifting past in space soon after.
La Flaga: That wasn't funny! It was meant to be dramatic! I died a hero!
Corad: Yeah La Flaga...a "hero"...bwa hahahahahahah! Geez man, chillout! (whacks La Flaga on the back forcing him face first into the ground) Whoops...err, I didn't do it. As long as Yzak doesn't mysteriously blow up, I'm cool. Oh guys, if you wanna scare ppl at school, scream out La Flaga coz it sounds like some insult or something. But um, yeah. Hope ya enjoyed this chappie. I gave up taking Samos seriously after the first line or two, so uh, that explains the idiocy shown here today. Now, you all know the drill. I'll ask for a review, most of ya will ignore me, and then we'll wait another week for the next update. But dudes, seriously...if you have the time, leave a review. I need them! (collapses on ground crying next to La Flaga who is also crying for some reason)
Envy: (appears outta nowhere) Um, why did you call me here?
Corad: Tell the guys to review! (still crying pathetically)
Envy: O...kay...you heard the idiot, review. Good enough for ya?
Corad: Yes...
