Corad: Hey guys, sorry for the late update. Been a bit busy, and was kinda hoping I'd get at least one more review, but it looks like it ain't happening. Thankyou to Nuitari/Re4per for the reviews though. I haven't heard back from you yet though whether you'd still like to beta read for me. Might have changed your mind lol. But thanks for your time. Thankyou to everyone else who read the last chapter. Are the chapters too long or something? I have increased word per chapter to around 2000 to 3000 words now. I think this one is about 3500+ so just a warning. Also, anyone who reads Fullmetal Praxemist, I have written out the entire first ep script, and Bijoux has written about half of it into the story. I'll be nagging her to get it finished so we can post it this weekend. But sorry for the delay to that too. Ok, better leave you to read this!

I don't own Jak and Daxter, but I own Sharok and the wolf pack. Skytha belongs to Jaklover. Please enjoy!


Chapter 63 – Wolfish Brethren

The air train landed silently at the Port back at Haven, and the blonde stumbled out, Daxter sitting in exhaustion on his shoulder. It had been a hard day so far, and he hoped it would be all downhill from here. However, when he stepped into the bar and spotted Keira sitting at the counter talking with Skytha, he knew something must be up.

"Keira, what brings you here?" he asked, making his way towards the counter. Keira stopped chatting with Skytha to look up, her face suddenly gloomy. "So, something's happened right? Is anyone hurt?"

Keira shook her head, and motioned for Jak to sit down beside her. "Don't worry Jak, nobody's hurt. But…someone has vandalized all the racing zoomers in my garage. Punctured every fuel tank, uncapped oil tanks so it's leaked out…a few even have heavy dint's in the metal work, as if someone's hit it. Jak, with all the racing zoomers like this, the first class race will have to be postponed until I can fix them up again. And we were so close to the end of the tournament too! Dam these people Jak!" Keira snapped, crossing her arms angrily over her chest.

Jak reached out a supporting hand, and rested it gently on her shoulder. "Keira, for all we know it may not have been an elf. Maybe it was…"

"Jak, don't start saying a wolf could do this! How can something as stupid as that, uncap oil tanks?" Keira cried, and Jak squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.

"They aren't dumb animals Keira. They have their own culture, their own beliefs. They even worship a God, so don't call them stupid. However, a wolf can't unscrew an oil cap, but a werewolf can," Jak muttered, more to himself than to Keira, Sky or Daxter. At that last comment though, Sky stood up, eyes burning in fury.

"So you blame me, right? Typical Jak…I thought I could trust you!" Jak shot his eyes up to meet Skytha's green ones, before murmuring out a reply he hoped would calm her down.

"Sky, I know you wouldn't do that, but if your brother is a werewolf, what are the chances he's behind this? Tell me Sky, who exactly is your brother? I've waited long enough to find out, and still you've failed to track him down and stop him. If you don't do something soon, Ashelin will be thrown out of reign, more lives will be lost, and apparently Irigaj is on the move out of pure rage. We've upset your God somehow, and he's going to destroy us all!" Jak snapped, the rage swirling inside finally getting to him.

"Irigaj is not angry at you or your people Jak! He is angry at us! At our leader, who has abandoned us to starve, while he sorts out the problem. If my brother was any sort of a leader, he'd return by now and give us the strength to survive. Without a decent leader, our pack falls apart! Already it's split up from what Lenna's told me. Ramshei has led half the pack towards Spargus to scavenge and hunt for food, while the other half has moved to the Monk Temple! If only my brother…"

"Who is he? Skytha, tell me! Tell me who it is…tell……wait, I know who it is," Jak fell silent, his face tinged slightly red in anger, while Skytha's had suddenly turned white. She gasped quietly and sat back down, cradling her hands between her knees.

"Please Jak, don't tell anyone…I love him, and I can't lose him. Please, give me a little longer, I'll promise he'll be brought down," Skytha replied, before the room fell into an awkward silence. Keira, after having witnessed the argument, decided it was time to leave. She stood up, bid both Jak and Sky a good day, and headed out the door in a hurry. Jak figured she was slightly alarmed out his outburst, for he was usually able to control himself in the worst of times. But once she was gone, he was free to question Sky.

"So, where were we? Your brother, he worked in the Krimzon Guard right?" Jak began to question, and she nodded slightly, her eyes hidden by her fringe. "I thought so…you and Sharok don't look that similar to be honest. It would be hard to pick out, if I hadn't have already met him…now that you mention it, he does seem to act strangely at the mention of your name," Jak said slyly, grinning at Skytha who was struggling to keep herself calm.

"Just promise you won't say anything Jak. He's not a bad person really; he's just worried about his pack. He promised our late leader Lorenza he'd give his life to protect us before he died. And…he feels he has to do something to stop the metal heads dying out. He vowed to each of us to protect us, even if it meant his own sacrifice. I told him not to go, but he was determined to convince elf-kind to stop slaughtering metal heads. Ever since Kor was destroyed, we've struggled to find fresh supplies of metal heads…" Skytha said quietly, rocking back and forth on her stool. Jak stayed silent. Part on him wanted to scream at her for keeping this hidden, but another welcomed the information happily.

"I see…well, I won't tell anybody until you've dealt with all this. Come to me if you need help Sky…I'm not sure if he's the brother you remember…" Jak finally said after a wait of silence. Sky shifted uneasily beside him, and lifted her face up to look at Jak square in the eyes.

"He's my brother even if he has changed, and I love him no matter what. Ever since our parents died when I was 5 years old, he's been there to protect me. He threw away his dreams to become something great and became a guard, all to support me! I don't care if he murders thousands, I'll always love him," Skytha said softly, and Jak could sense her grief behind her straight face.

"I never had a brother or sister to share a relationship with, but I had Daxter and Keira. That was enough for me. I know what you mean Sky. If Daxter here killed a few, I'll probably still call him my buddy," Jak replied, messing Daxter's fur up on his head. "Your secret's safe with me. But, he wouldn't happen to be err, out to kill me, would he?"

Skytha let out a nervous laugh, shaking her head. "Jak, my brother isn't targeting anyone in particular. He just wants to find peace between elf and wolf, and just happened to kill a few along the way. He wouldn't go after you," she replied, forcing a smile to reassure Jak she was being truthful. Jak however still didn't feel totally convinced, but didn't have time to question it for Sky had begun to talk again.

"Tell you what. Come with me tonight, and I'll take you to meet the pack. Lenna told me Ramshei needs speaking with. I think he's begun to think bad thoughts about my brother and I. But what do you say? Want to come? Maybe meeting them will change your views on who the bad guys really are?" Skytha suggested, rising from the stool and stretching her arms above her head.

"Ok, I'd like to meet the other wolves. I saw them at a distance, but maybe it would do me good. When do we leave?" Jak asked, rising from his own stool.

"How about now? It's getting closer to nightfall, so why not go now? We can be back by midnight, and rest then." Jak grinned at Sky's proposal, and agreed quickly that they may as well. Turning to Daxter, he asked the ottsel whether he would like to tag along, but he shook his head violently.

"No way Jak! That last bunch of wolves freaked me out! No way I want to meet them again!" he cried, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes. Jak knew it would be a lost cause to try to persuade him otherwise, so he turned back to Sky.

"Where's Erol?"

"He's out gathering information for Ashelin I believe. He took Simron with him, but I assume they'll come back shortly," Skytha replied casually. So, Erol was helping out the cause at last. About time too.

"Ok, Dax. Lock the door, and when they come back let them in. I should be back sometime late tonight, if not, in the morning. Don't go out after dark alright. Look after yaself buddy," Jak finally said, patting the ottsel's shoulder before turning towards the door. He and Sky both left without another word and ran for the Air Train. They figured it'd be safer morphing out in the wasteland out of the public eye.

"The good old Air Train. Second time I've used this today," Jak muttered sarcastically, clambering inside and pulling Skytha up to get in. They rested on the benches for the trip, Jak finally finding time to relax his aching muscles. His relaxation time ended about 15 minutes later when they felt the cabin lower towards the ground, and the back hatch click open. The sight of the Wasteland at near dusk was a magnificent sight. The sand was a warm, glowing orange, the sky a pretty pink and purple shade. Skytha didn't pay much attention to her surroundings though, and leapt out of the air train, landing silently in the sand. She then turned to Jak, and beckoned him to follow her.

Together they moved out across the flat stretch of sand until they were hidden by a few large rocks. Sky then pulled out her pendant and recited the chant, morphing into a sleek, brown wolf. Jak did the same, pushing himself through the pain before he too stood on all fours as a wolf.

"Good, now we must be off. As you can tell, dusk is now here. Nightfall shall follow. At night, the wolves rule the wasteland, but by day, Elves do. We need to move swift and silently to reach the pack. They could be anywhere, so keep an alert mind. When we do find them, don't speak out of turn, and stay behind me. They might think you're an enemy," Skytha instructed in a low whisper. Jak clung on to every word, nodding in approval whenever she gave him the chance, before she turned and began trotting away from the rocks.

Jak followed, his head held high, ears perked up for the slightest sound. He wandered why they were walking instead of flying, but remembered what Sky had said. It was safer sneaking about on foot than flight. So he trailed behind soundlessly, until Skytha suddenly stopped.

"This is where I found my brother after he disappeared. He went missing for a week when I was only 12 years old. I went searching, and found him…but he bit me by mistake, giving me the curse too. I remember it clearly…a wolf emerged and tried to comfort me. He told me don't be scared, and said he was my brother, but when I went to stroke him…he changed…his wolf mind kicked in and attacked me…but even though he gave me a cursed life, forever to be in exile, I still love him. This way, we can be together freely, for he was unable to return to Haven," Skytha recalled, her eyes traveling across the dunes and rocks spread around.

"He must have felt awful."

"He did. He apologized and ran off, telling me to never come looking for him again. However, I was exiled from Haven shortly afterwards. I went to live in Spargus, where I met Lenna but…" she fell silent, and continued walking, leaving Jak to stay behind in thought. So, she had been through a lot. No wonder she found it hard to trust people. If Sharok had been the one to bite her, then what was the chance he…

"I already thought about that remember, but now it seems more likely than anything else. What did he mean about 'Saving Us'. Did he bite me on purpose, to save his wolf race, or did…gah, I hate it," Jak cried out, pinning his ears flat on his head. Everything was falling into place, but he had to find out Sharok's intentions for himself. He had to force the man to tell him everything.

"Jak, hurry! I've found the pack!" Skytha's voice ran through the darkening wasteland, and Jak ran forward in the direction of her voice. He soon came to an abrupt halt by her side, and looked about 30 meters away at a smallish pack. The same smallish packhe'd seenbefore with Lenna. "Ok, keep behind me, and don't make eye contact yet. You mustearn their respect before you can."

With that said, she took short strides into the small group, and stopped before a fierce looking wolf, which Jak noticed to be Ramshei. He began snarling at Skytha's presence, and bared his teeth occasionally to show he would happily tear the limbs off her.

"Ramshei," she said politely, bowing her head low to welcome him. The male wolf however growled threatening, and snapped at her, warding her away.

"I don't talk to traitors!" he shouted, blue eyes narrowed at Sky. She felt a little vulnerable, but held her head high to show him no fear.

"Ramshei, I am not a traitor. I have been gone in search of Sharok. He will return to guide us again. We have met trouble at the elf city. They are alert to the murders we have committed, and my brother will be in danger if he's not brought home soon. Please, forgive me," she continued, again bowing her head down. Jak thought it was a stupid thing to do, for Ramshei could easily tear her throat out, but kept silent and still behind her. Ramshei didn't attack her though. He stood, still towering and growling over her, but not once made a move to attack.

"Plead for forgiveness little one, but I will not shower you with it. Until you prove your worth, you shall not receive my amnesty," he replied in a rough growl, seating himself before her. She sighed heavily, and took a step to the side.

"Be that as it may, I have bought to you a wolf I think may save us. A wolf who has the city resting on his shoulders, and may finally end this war." Jak kept his eyes locked onto Skytha as she spoke to Ramshei, before she finally turned to Jak and motioned him forward with a flick on her head. Jak, feeling susceptible to pain and or death, took shaking steps forward.

"Ah, the wolf who will save us all. I see…boy, what are you?" Ramshei snapped, now circling Jak, eyes transfixed on his own.

"I don't know what you mean," Jak began, but the older wolf cut him off.

"Don't play games with me! What are you! Are you a pure bred wolf, or one of them," he hissed, shooting a glare at Skytha who stood silently on the sideline.

"I am an elf, given the power to become wolf. I live in Haven City, and am rightful heir to the throne," Jak replied as bravely as he could, his head held so high that Ramshei could easily tear his throat out too. But still the other wolf made no move to harm, so Jak was beginning to think maybe they weren't all blood and death after all.

"Humph, so we have a weak little boy out to save the world…how delightful. Skytha, why did you bring me this fool? He is not our savior! He is merely an idiot tackling too large things to handle," Ramshei began, but Jak began growling, lowering his head.

"Stop it now. I've fought metal heads, I killed Kor, and I destroyed the dark makers. I could have killed Praxis, I beat Cyber Erol in that Dark Maker contraption, and I completely obliterated Gol and Maia after they abused Dark Eco experimentation! And on top of that, I chased down and beat Mizo at his own game!" All the wolves had stopped what they were doing to stare at Jak and Ramshei. The older wolf stood speechless, his eyes narrowed down at Jak's angry ones. Skytha stood to the side, feeling worried at what would now happen, but when Ramshei began laughing, she didn't know whether to feel relieved or scared.

"Hahahaha, yes, the boy who accomplished the unthinkable…you were just lucky. If we fought now, one on one, I'd kill you, slowly and painfully," Ramshei growled in mirth, his sneering face mere inches from Jak's. "But you may prove use to us. Protect the pack, Jak, and my views on you may be altered...uh, with a bit of luck that is."

Jak struggled to keep himself together and stood still, trying to ignore the burning rage inside. It was heavy in his heart, but if he failed to gain their trust, what would happen to Haven city and all those he knew and cared for? He couldn't risk it.

"Give me your trust and faith, and I will succeed in bringing peace to your pack. Leader will return safe and sound, and you pack shall never be harmed by elf kind again," Jak forced out calmly, and he got the response he hoped he'd get. Ramshei nodded his head, and surveyed Jak closely, blue eyes roaming over his solid figure.

"You have it wolf boy. My pack and I shall believe in your intentions, and in return you shall protect us from harm. Sharok was a good leader before he betrayed us all, but you may be different."

"Sharok didn't betray you Ramshei! He's out searching for a solution! He needs more time before you make judgment!" Skytha shouted in defense for her brother. The dark wolf snarled in her direction, his teeth glinting in setting rays of the sun.

"Silence fool! Sharok is gone, and he's not returning! He's returned to his old life, his old home! Lorenza may have been stupid enough to trust him with the pack, but he's gone. We're abandoned by the likes of him," he cried back, fury flaring in his tone. Skytha cowered back slightly, her ears drooping and her tail hanging loosely between her hind legs.

"Sharok will return. I've seen him, and he's doing his job. Trust him," Jak stated simply, his voice confident and strong. He knew he had the wolves' trust, and risked saying what was on his mind quite blankly. Ramshei snarled, but didn't retort in anger. He simply lowered himself to the cooling sand, and rested his head on his front paws.

"He shall be given longer then. We're losing hope, and ifhe does not return, a new leader shall be selected. I will happily take the position," the dark wolf muttered after a short moment of silence. Skytha snapped to attention and stalked over to him.

"My brother is leader, and he's returning. Don't you dare say you'll take his position as alpha male!" she snapped, before turning around and heading away from the pack. Jak wanted to follow her, but he needed to ask something first.

"Ramshei, may I ask for your approval?" Jak asked, trying to sound as polite as possible. The wolf before him lifted his head high, urging Jak to continue on. "Please, keep your wolves outside the city. Do not enter, for men there will kill you instantly. If you care for your pack's safety, keep away from the walls. Promise me."

Ramshei stayed silent, before he sat up and took a step towards Jak, leaning in to his ear. "Sure thing, Wolf Boy," were his simple words, but they sent a chill down Jak's spine. The warm breath so close to Jak's ear made him want to cower, but he kept strong and let Ramshei step back.

"Thank you," he muttered before he too turned around and ran after Sky, hoping she hadn't gotten very far. After a few minutes of running from the pack, Jak spotted a lone figure sitting on the rise of a dune, her head staring up at the forming stars above. She looked alone and upset from where Jak stood, so he continued running, legs moving swiftly through the sand.

At the sound of paw hitting earth, Sky turned her head in his direction. He was right. Her expression wasn't its usual cocky, happy one, but a saddened, troubled one. Reaching her side, he sat down, forming words within his mind to help her out.

"Sky, I'm sure he doesn't mean what he said. I think he's just scared for the pack's safety. Look, we'll find your brother together, and bring him home. Come on; let's go back to the city. Daxter will be waiting for us, and I'm sure Erol's missing you," Jak muttered gently, nuzzling her shoulder. Skytha sighed deeply, and stood up, shaking the sand off her fur before moving without another word towards the Air Train.

'How can she care so much for her brother, who is more intent on killing than saving them all? I don't want to see her get hurt,' Jak thought inside his mind, and was met by Dark Jak laughing, and Light Jak yelling at him to shut up. However, what voice stood out amongst them all, one which he hadn't heard since its downfall, was the wolf.

'She is strong, don't worry or pity her. She has chosen to follow her heart and instincts, and if she took care of her brother, she'd have no one else to blame for his downfall. Wolves are not weak creatures like elves, Jak.' His mind felt strange for a while after that, as if another existence had all of a sudden forced its way inside. But wolf Jak had always been there, hadn't he? Maybe only now he'd forgiven Jak and decided to work as a team. If so, life would be easier now.


Corad: Whoop, another chappie down! I have one chapter left to write till I finish this, but like...there's a few I still gotta post up lol. About ten more or something. It's gotten pretty intense from what I've written...but you guys won't care, will ya! Anyhow, thanks for reading. Please review if you have the time. I need feedback on this. If these chapters are too long, then tell me. I'll see if I can somehow fix it. Um, I'll see you guys later I guess! Toodles :)