Corad: Whoot, chapter (insert number) here and ready for yas to read! Man, I've been having picture requests build up over this week...all the pressure is getting it to me! (collapses on floor screaming while clutching head)
Envy: Uh, you moron! Get up off the floor and continue like a man!
Corad: O.o But um...I ain't a man...
Envy: Yeah, and neither am I! (sarcastic like)
Corad: Errr, this is gonna be a long afternoon...(looks at Envy having a raging fit in corner) Well, thanks to my lovely reviewers! I came to the conclusion...thanks to Silver Horror, JakLover, Millenium Ring and Shalbrenfan, that Erol does in fact...have fans O.O So...um...to my special reviewers and readers who do like Erol...um...please don't kill me...O.o'

Envy: Corad will never own Jak and Daxter! If she ever does, I think the whole world will implode in on itself! (pointing threateningly at Authoress at Keyboard)
Corad: Shouldn't you um...be going back to Fullmetal Alchemist now?


Chapter 70 – That Fatal Night

As the four stepped back through the bar's entrance door, Jak rushed upstairs in search of his communicator. All of them had been gone for quite a few hours, and he knew someone would have tried to contact him. Call it a hunch.

The blonde man found his little black communicator sitting on the dresser, and picked it up. The screen was blank apart from one name: Torn. "Damn Torn. Can't leave me in peace for one day," he silently growled, punching in the code to contact Torn. He heard a faint buzzing sound on the other end, until it cut out and a gruff voice answered.

"Torn, you tried to contact me before?"

He heard a loud sigh at the other end, before Torn said, "Finally decide to call back. What were you doing all day?" Jak sagged his shoulders and seated himself down on his bed.

"I was out doing target practice with Erol. I felt we needed a day off, considering we've been running around none stop as of late," he muttered back, eyes roaming the blank walls in boredom. Torn snarled under his breath, and began lecturing him.

"We're in the middle of a war Jak. There's no time to be sitting around on your ass relaxing. I need you and Erol to patrol tonight out at the Yakow Paddocks. I've tried to keep you guys out of schedule but this is urgent. Some of our men were injured today when a platform collapsed in the sewers. We're down fit fighters, so you guys have to take over. Be out at the paddocks by nightfall. I suggest you rest up for you'll be there all night," Torn instructed, before he hung up. Jak figured the leader knew an argument was imminent if given the chance.

Sighing in anger, he threw the black device down and stormed down the stairs, shouting out to Erol. The other man sat quietly in his booth, minding his own business when Jak suddenly appeared. "We're to patrol tonight at the paddocks. Torn suggests we rest up."

It took a few moments for Erol to come to terms with what Jak had just informed, but began protesting soon after. "No way! You even said it yourself that we're on a break, so why do it!"

"Freedom Fighters who were on tonight have suffered a major causality down in the sewers today. Apparently a platform collapsed, so there are probably a few injured men amongst us now. Just don't argue about it. I feel the same, but there's nothing we can do. Sleep up, and I'll come back before nightfall," Jak commanded, turning on his heel and heading to bed. Erol sat and growled to himself, but took the younger elf's advice and forced himself into a restless sleep.

The two and a bit hours spent sleeping were soon over, and Jak groaned loudly when he was awoken by Daxter towering over him. "Come on buddy, get up! We need to go," the orange ottsel said, shaking Jak's arm to get him up. Jak groaned again, sitting up in his bed and swinging his legs over the bed.

"Daxter, I need you to stay. I don't know what's out there, but please…just stay here with Simron. You'll be safer, and besides, maybe Sky will come back later," he muttered in a dull tone, grabbing his gun and wandering down the stairs silently. Daxter just looked at his friend's back, and sighed heavily in defeat. He always missed out on missions these days. It was fine that Jak was worried for his safety, but they'd saved the world together on numerous occasions. They'd both looked death in the face and narrowly escaped. They were a team, but Jak just seemed to have forgotten that.

In the bar though, Jak was nudging Erol's shoulder, prodding him to wake up. When Jak finally lost his patience and punched Erol lightly in his upper arm, the red head sat up, gasping and flinging his arms up for self defence. So the ex commander was paranoid. Who wasn't these days? "Hurry up; it's just beginning to darken outside. We don't want Torn after our asses, do we?"

Erol made a move to get up, but Jak shoved him back, eyes suddenly blazing. "You pull any form of sick trick on me, and I'll kill you." The older man couldn't believe what he was hearing. Hadn't Jak vowed to trust Erol with his life? Did he honestly think the ex commander would turn on him now?

"Don't be stupid Jak. If I wanted you dead, I would have carried the deed out by now. I've been given opportunities to do so time and time again, so stop pestering me about it. Before we leave tonight, we must establish a solid ground between us. Truthfully, do you trust me?" Jak snapped up at the question, struggling for words again. The older man had asked him the same thing a while back, and by answering yes his life was spared. "Answer it Jak."

Jak took a step away, turning his back on Erol's persistency and crossing his arms. "I don't know." It was the truth. He felt some trust with him, but another nagging voice kept telling him otherwise.

"Fine. I'll accept that. The things I've done I understand trust will be hard to achieve. But listen to me Jak… I. Won't. Kill. You. Got it?" Jak furrowed his brow, gritting his teeth while Erol's words swam in his mind. Sure, it's alright him saying that, but would he hold up to it.

"Ok. Keep your word Erol. If you make one move to kill me, I'll show no mercy," Jak retorted, before wandering out the bar. Erol hissed at Jak's attitude, wondering why he all of a sudden distrusted him. Had he done something lately? He couldn't remember, but nonetheless he slid out his booth and followed Jak outside into the new night. Already Jak was a wolf, reciting the wolfish chant to reverse the affects. And a few moments later Jak stood as an elfish again.

"We must hurry. No dawdling and keep alert all times," Jak ordered loudly, pulling his gun out and running with it resting against his chest. Erol was sprinting beside him, his left hand resting against the pistol on his thigh in case needed. Outside the moon shown eerily in the dark sky, whilst little bright stars littered amongst the darkness. There were hardly any citizens wandering about. Most of them were drunks anyway, coming home after a long hard day at work followed by the pub. The duo kept sprinting along the pavement though, heading west towards the easiest route to the paddocks.

When they reached the change in terrain, Jak slowed down to a walk, ears alert and eyes darting about in the dark. There were figures moving about, but he knew they were only harmless Yakows locked in the paddocks. He could also make out the silhouettes of trees and rocks around the place. The night air was chilly too, Jak noticed after taking the time to acknowledge in his surroundings. Beside him Erol was also alert to his surroundings, turning his head here and there to keep a close watch.

"Seems quiet Jak. Was there really any point patrolling?" Erol asked in agitation, his brown eyes flashing in the dark. Jak let out a low whistle, wondering that himself. But Torn had instructed them for patrol duty, and they couldn't exactly back down and refuse.

"Listen, we do this tonight, we're free tomorrow. Now, which paddocks did he want patrolling? Maybe if we stick around here, then head to the other side," Jak muttered softly, eying the area carefully. Erol didn't bother to respond, and just followed Jak to the end of the paddocks and back again. They spent about an hour and a half wandering up and down the quiet fields, often stumbling on some unknown rock or patch of grass in the road. But when Jak felt satisfied that nothing would be coming, he led Erol through the deserted marketplace to the other paddock region. These small fields were exactly the same. No sign of life other than the Yakows, and no noise flooded around them. It was totally silent.

"Is this necessary Jak? We've been out for a couple of hours at least, don't you think we shou…" Erol fell into a sudden, dead silence, his movement halting altogether. When Jak turned to him, about to ask him why he didn't finish, Erol threw a hand over his mouth. "SSShhhhh…I don't think we're alone. Keep quiet," he whispered in Jak's ear, before releasing the younger elf. He pulled out his pistol, holding it to his shoulder while glancing around frantically.

Whatever Erol had heard, it didn't reveal itself, even after a long period of time. Maybe it had been just another guard or citizen passing by, or even a Yakow. The paddocks were full of them. "Erol, ease up. I didn't hear anything. We'll spend a little longer here and we'll go back to the first area ok."

"No Jak, I heard something. I'm telling you." Erol hissed in defence, still looking towards the walls, rocks and trees. Jak rolled his eyes, and carried on walking down the path alone, his own gun clutched tightly at his front. Within a few moments, Erol had somewhat calmed down and jogged after Jak. His racing heart had fallen back into its normal beating pattern, and the two elves even made a quiet conversation. Jak learned a little bit more about Erol's early time in the guard, and Jak even began telling the older man about his life back at Sandover Village.

"Seemed like a nice place Jak. Like paradise in fact," Erol muttered, head bent to the ground watching where he placed his feet. Jak chuckled back, enjoying this little time they were sharing, even if he did have his doubts. Erol didn't seem so bad. Maybe he really could be trusted.

As the night progressed onwards, the air began to get colder still. It stung at exposed flesh in light breezes, and began to dry their throats out, turning their exhaled breath to mist; but still they stayed alert. They had to. "So, do you like Skytha as a friend, or as…" Jak couldn't finish his curious question, for Erol abruptly began acting strange again. His eyes were wide, head looking anxiously around the area and he even nudged Jak in the side to shut him up. Jak still claimed he couldn't hear anything. He was beginning to find Erol's paranoia annoying, but when that fatal gun shot sounded off breaking the silence, he realised he'd been wrong.

Out of pure instinct, the ex commander leapt swiftly into Jak, shoving him hard out the way. As the blonde fell to the ground, he looked up into time to see Erol scream out in a mixture of pain and shock, struggling to keep standing. His legs gave way beneath him, and the older elf fell hard to the ground, writhing in pain.

"EROL!" Jak shouted in fear, forgetting about everything else as he scrambled across the ground to his comrade's side. "Erol, speak to me! EROL!" he shook the ex commander's shoulders strongly trying to arouse him, and felt a little relieved when pain stricken eyes met blue.

"Jak…" he choked, barely audible even with the given silence. Jak took hold of his fallen comrade, and shifted his weight until his shoulders were in his own arms. "Jak…I'm sorry…please forgive me," he whispered, sweat gathering on his face. Jak screwed up his face, shaking in anger. He let his eyes trail down Erol's trembling body and rest on a bullet wound in his waist just below his bottom rib. It was bleeding vigorously, staining his clothes red. But that wasn't the only one. The blonde laid eyes upon yet another bullet embedded in his right thigh near his hip.

"Erol, hang on. I'll get help," Jak said, concern filling his voice as he made a move to get up. Erol shook his head, laying a weakened hand on Jak's arm to stop him.

"There's no…time…Jak. I succeeded with the… deal those precursors…made with me," the fallen elf continued to whisper, tears of pain forming in his eyes. Jak hissed angrily, eyes darting up to the scrubs nearby. The gunman had left by the looks of things, or he would have kept shooting.

"What deal are you talking about? You haven't helped win the war yet!" the younger man said in a shaking tone, gripping Erol's shoulders more tightly. Erol let out a quiet laugh, before cringing in agony.

"No…I lied…to you. I vowed to protect you…with my life Jak. I had to protect you…always…" he muttered, slowly sliding his eyes shut. Jak growled loudly, gently shaking Erol again to keep him from drifting off. He just couldn't understand it. All this time, the precursors had charged this maniac with protecting his life? Was that why he hadn't killed him yet? He was Jak's personal body guard?

"No…"

"No what?" Jak gritted his teeth, resting his chin on Erol's head while he spoke.

"I am not letting you die. Not after this. I'm sure that bullet was for me, or they would have shot at you first. But you…being the complete asshole you are, had to play the big hero and save me…why? Tell me why…" Jak shuddered against him, closing his eyes tightly. He could feel Dark Jak screaming to be realised. He knew his recent comrade would be taken tonight by the hands of death. Just knew it. Being struck by two bullets wasn'twelcoming news, and he was clearly dying from internal bleeding and possible damage to some vital organs.

"I told you…I couldn't let you…die…look after Sky…and keep yourself alive…don't let my sacrifice go…to…waste…" Erol finished softly, slowly shutting his eyes. His head fell against Jak's chest heavily, trembling and once writhing body falling limp. His shallow breathing froze in one final gasp and Jak gave a quick intake of breath.

"No…Dammit Erol…you can't be…" Jak hissed, lowering his friend's upper half back onto the grassy ground. He placed two fingers to Erol's throat, and hoped there was a pulse, but found none. "GARGH! NOOO!" His scream echoed around the silent paddocks, Dark Jak breaking through his mind ready to conquer Jak's body, until a soothing voice overpowered them all. Light shone brightly, eyes flaming with a cold mist, his icy fingers trembling against Jak's skin.

'I shall save him Jak. Have faith and let me revive the fallen.' Jak didn't have a chance to argue, as Light forced the control over his body forcing the blonde into the shadowed depths. Light eco ran down his spine, spreading down his limbs, chilling his skin and pulsating across all his senses. The livid feeling vanished, replaced by raw courage to bring back a life. Light wouldn't stop until it was done. He could tell Jak regretted stating his distrust to Erol and wanted to set it right again.

He lowered icy hands to Erol's chest, resting them faintly above his heart and concentrated. Jets of eco flew out of his palms, disappearing into the limp body, shocking his heart enough to revive it. With his heart feebly beating again, Light placed a cold finger to Erol's lips, eyes closed while he brought up some more eco to encourage his lungs to begin breathing. It took more effort and time to induce natural breathing, but when Erol gave a quiet gasp before falling unconscious, Light knew he had succeeded. Placing his hands gently on the bloody waist before him, he sent out a final jet of light eco, which embedded itself deep in the wound.

'He shall live if help is given. Jak, heal him. His internal bleeding has been temporarily stopped, but our light eco may not hold long. See to it he survives,' was Light's final statement before Jak felt himself be pushed back in control. 'Thankyou Light,' Jak replied weakly, as he turned his attention back on Erol.

He still looked in bad shape, but at least he was promoted up from death. Even if he was in a critical state. "Ok, come on Erol," Jak whispered, sliding a shaking arm under his comrade's knees and lifting them upwards. He laid his other arm around Erol's shoulders, and began to lift him up. Although he did struggle for a while, Jak managed to take a few steps down the path, thinking hard. Who would be up and about this time of night? Ashelin? Maybe…the Palace was the closest but what if she didn't know what to do? Torn seemed more of an answer. The underground was indeed further away, but he knew the leader had experience in these sorts of things. The call of duty always saw him removing bullets out of the squadron of guards.

So Jak began his long walk to the underground, holding his unconscious comrade tightly in his arms taking extra care to handle him gently. Any sudden movements could seriously harm his physical state, pushing him further towards the borderline of death. He just hoped, deep down…he could make it in time.


Corad: Um, you're probably all wondering how the heck Light Jak revived Erol. Well, if medics shock the heart enough with those crazy things...you know...they shock ya? Yeah, that gets the heart to pump again. So basically Light did that with his healing eco. There'll probably be arguments too, like 'if Light could do that, why not use it on Damas?' My reasons are that a) Light's only just discovered he can do this b) Jak was rushing to stop Veger so he couldn't help his father c) Coz my personal belief is that eco is powered by emotions, Jak didn't want to feel guilty after knowing the truth and I guess didn't want him to die. Kinda funny though, coz I'm sure Jak would've killed Erol whenever he had the chance a few months back. Shows ya how crazy friendships can develope :D Just like this friendship here! (Puts arm around Envy's shoulders)
Envy: What the hell are you doing? Get your arm off me! We aren't friends!
Corad: Sure we are...remember how I was missing ya last week, and then I rocked up at the FMA set and kidnapped ya...now we're friends...
Envy: O.O Uh...
Corad: There was something else I had to ramble about...um...I can't remember right now though. Well, review if ya feel the need. Lil Erol's going swimming with the fishes!
Envy: He didn't drown you idiot...
Corad: Oh...