Daxter slumped back in a small wooden bar stool. He leaned the rest of his tiny body forward onto the chipped away metallic counter. The place was pretty much abandoned. A small bar, meant only for animals of the elven intelligence, was the only thing that still stood. Believe it or not, there were others other than himself. In fact, a whole prison's worth. But getting off that ugly topic of the past, the orange little ottsel closed his weary eyes. He felt sick. Soooo so sick. As if vomiting would be his only possible cure as of now. Or if holding onto his quaking body was his only salvation. He needn't open his eyes to scan the charcoaled, cobwebbed and grey stonewalls. He knew this tiny bar all too well. Most of the stonewalls had been scorched black due to a fire that had blazed there some years ago. All that remained other than the walls themselves was eight bar stools, the shelves behind the bar table containing assorted bottles of liquor, beer, and broken glass, and the metallic bar table itself. The corner of it had been charred black, and a giant metal iron deposit had clumped off of it only to of hardened on the floor. The blaze had started to melt it. The floor was also sculpted from rock, and was covered with an inches worth of dust and smoldering ash. Some discarded pieces of furniture lay askew n the fire's remains. A couch cushion, the foot of a bar stool, more broken glass, and random pieces of ripped and burnt fabric. Shattered light bulbs occupied the ceiling, all dead to light, except for one… Blinking on and off… Swaying back and forth over our small ottsel's weak and ill body. And what little light that was, showered onto Daxter's back as he slowly continued to rise from his slumping posture. Carefully he lifted his tired eyelids, revealing hopeless cerulean eyes. He sluggishly turned his head to the left of the shelf behind the table. A velvet mauve pouch was hardly visible, covered in white ash and dust. He lunged forward clumsily to reach it, in the process causing two bottles to crash to the floor. Ignoring the shatter, he tried to relax himself as he unraveled the ancient string of the pouch with his grip-gloved hands, slightly shaking. He peered inside the bag…
…. One Month Ago….
Night had finally fallen on the streets of Haven City. If you could even so much as call it a city… Let alone a Haven. To one who stands outside this city, there were giant walls that surrounded it, like layers. First, it was coated with a yellow shield on all sides. It looked to be made out of pure electricity, or a light of some sort, however, was not. It was a substance known as Eco, in a plasma state.
Eco on this planet has been explained as, "The Life Energy of the World." There are many different varieties of Eco, and it comes in many different forms. But let us not go into the detail of that just yet….
The Yellow Eco surrounded another wall, which looked to be made of pure steel, or strong alloy. It was an oval shape around the city, which consisted of four different sectors; Dead Town, The bazaar, the Industrial, and the Old Industrial, which carried much more pollution than old. And in the very center of these layers, was a place… A palace that looked as if it were floating in the sky. Giant support towers, which took up residence in each city sector, reared up into the black foggy sky. They looked like giant silver claws, scrapping against the atmosphere. The support towers had giant cables that stretched to the palace's base, this giving it the sort of look or effect that it was a massive spider sitting in the dead center of it's web. If anyone was to view it from a bird's eye perspective, it would resemble an eye… A giant eye surrounded by nothing but deserted Wastelands. Within the Industrial sector of this eye in the storm… Is where it all begins…
"HELLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PUBLIC!" Daxter whooped loudly as titanium doors slid open upon his entrance to the Hip Hog Haven Saloon. A duo of annoyed faces at the bar table turned to glare at him. Daxter, recognizing the two of them, decided to jump on the shoulder of the only one who didn't glare at him so harshly. "'Hey Jak!" He flashed his pearly whites at his green and blonde haired friend. "Drink'n boozies with the lovely ladies here?" He asked batting his eyes sarcastically towards a man with red dread locks tucked neatly behind his head. The tattoos on his face wrinkled in anger as his eyes narrowed. He shot up a fist close to the ottsel's mug, causing him to flinch back in fear.
"Make another sarcastic wise crack and I'll kick my foot up your small furry ass." The red haired girl next to him just barely cracked a smile on her crimson lips. Like the man who threatened Daxter, she too had red hair tied back into dreads, and black tattoos on her face. In fact both had very similar attire, which consisted of steel guards, tight leather, and the symbol of the lord of the city, Baron Praxis, for apparel. Of course, that of the female's was MUCH more revealing. Including a red belly shirt, as well a slightly high taloned thong. Plus pistol at her side. The male was covered, red scar and crescent dagger included. This he pulled out and gleamed inches away from Daxter's face, " I mean it this time Orange Pansy." "Eh heh, ya guy," he gulped lightly, pushing the blade away gently with one finger. "I believe ya."
"Hey Dax," Jak said finally looking to his side. Daxter straightened a finger, preparing to yell at him, until Jak flashed a light smile with his greeting at the very last second. Jak knew by know if you don't smile at Daxter, then he would continue on flailing for attention. Though unlike other people, he didn't do it just to get Daxter to shut up. He did it for the courteous reasons of saying, hello.
Jak had a smooth face, with a green goatee and true blue eyes to accent it. He wore a dark indigo long sleeved shirt, with a giant chrome ring strapped to his muscular chest. He wasn't ridiculously buff, still a very thin waist, but his upper body showed a very defined Jak. His outfit was complete with an off-white set of pants, and metal tipped boots.
Daxter smiled back, waving his hand onto Jak's head to see what they were doing. "Watcha doin paly?" He asked. "Just as you said Dax. Nothing fun happening here except seeing who can hold his or hers…" They grinned at each other quickly, confirming that Jak was slightly tipsy. Though much too quickly on Daxter's part because as soon as he opened his mouth, Jak interrupted him, " And no, you can't play." Daxter looked a little taken back. "What! WHY nat?"
"Because a shrimp like you can't hold his liquor after a friggin pint, pipsqueak," Torn said smiling slyly and holding his drink. "Oh, you look'n ta START sumthin Mr. Lovelocks? Your little pony tails too tight 'er sumthin?" Jak and the red haired girl chuckled in secret as Torn's face grew angry. "Maybe you'd like it if I cut a couple MORE inches off the top?"
"Easy Torn… It's Daxter," said the girl with a slight smile. "Ashelin's right Torn. Besides, it makes you look really stupid," he still held back some laughter. Daxter smiled seeing Jak in a good mood for once. He knew it was the drinks, but he didn't care. "Yo Jak, ya wanna give me that straw over there?" He pointed towards a metallic dispenser. Jak pulled out a straw from its bottom and chucked it to Daxter. In only seconds had the ottsel ripped off the paper, and stuck it in Torn's glass. Torn arched an eyebrow, not sure whether this was a peace offering, or something else. He lowered his dagger as Daxter muttered a "Thank You…"……… Then quickly inhaled what was left of Torn's drink in what seemed like no time. "… VERY much! Ha ha!" Daxter laughed. Torn tightened his fist. Fuck'n furball! He strained.
"Hey Ashe, ya there?" All the men in the room looked towards Ashelin. She slightly grumbled as she pulled a small black communicator from her belt. Her look was read as "annoyed" as she answered her call with a, "Yes Jinx, what do YOU want?"
" Well it's nice talk'n with you too girly!" Jinx's voice coated with a very thick New York accent. Ashelin rolled her eyes. "I can cut you off anytime I want Jinx, what is it?" "Geezus, so much for sweet talk'n." He complained. "Anywayz, the Shadow wants ta see you 'n Torn. Nuthin serious. Just wants yous guys to go over some attack strategies to invade some KG territories from the sewers." Ashelin sighed. "Fine. We'll be there." She clicked off the communicator. Torn slowly stood up from his seat. He felt a little saddened. He, Ashelin, and Jak were actually having an easygoing time for once. It was relaxing to do something other than missions and paperwork for once. He had forgotten what it felt like. And once again, he had to leave abruptly. "Lock up when you're done here…" Torn said in a low tone heading out the door.
"Torn." Ashelin grabbed his arm. His head slowly turned to the direction of her voice. She gave off her light smile that she showed to so little people. "He said, "Us," remember?" Torn felt a smile glide onto is lips as he straightened. "Ya… he said walking with her out the door.
Besides… he thought glimpsing at her as the door slid shut. I wanted to get off work to be with you anyway…
Jak and Daxter smirked at each other. The ottsel leaned back on the counter, swiping the remains of Ashelin's drink, "Aww man." Jak couldn't help but crack a smile at Daxter's famous exaggerated tone. It was just, so him. "Red n' Red?" You KNOW somethin's gonna happen!"
"I don't know… They always seemed to be more like long lost siblings rather than a couple." Daxter waved his hand in a light laugh. "Siblings? Jak my friend, you are the WORST person I know when it comes ta love," He took a drink. Jak gave him a slightly harsh glare, "Oh really?" "Pff! Ya really! As for me of course," he sighed. "Well I just can't help the fact I was born with irresistible good looks and happen to be the raging fire that sets of teenage girl hormones everywhere. As well as bein the so called, "King of Love." Jak rolled his eyes at his partner's new nickname. "Call it a curse," the ottsel shrugged. Jak picked up his own glass, "Ya… that's you Dax…" "Seriously! I know how everybody rolls in the Game O' Lurrrv." He winked.
"Speak'n a which, did the girls leave?" Jak held up a folded piece of paper.
"They just left for their big mission this morning. And they were actually gracious enough to let us know where they were going in writing this time." Daxter took the note from him. He unfolded in front of him only to reveal two sets of handwriting. It said,
"Hey boys! The Shadow wanted us to leave this morning for reconosince in that new city out in the water. Theres' been a lot of accidents there lately, and we've been forced ta try and help out. More rummaging through a freakin bloody mess… Whee…" The handwriting now became less readable… "But don't worry about us. We'll be fine! Big girls like us do this sorta thing all the time. We'll bring you back some souvenirs, and we better get a VERY nice welcome back."
Daxter grinned at Jak, seeming to get the, "message," Jak rolled his eyes once more, and continued reading. The handwritings switched on and off here…
"Take care of yourselves while we're away. And try not to get your asses into trouble! Ya you guys. Take care. Love you Dax!
Pink & Killough"
It ended with two signatures and a very small chibi drawing of what looked to be the girls. Jak gave a little sigh, as did Daxter. In truth, these two just so happened to b the lucky soul mates of our two boys. Though since sadly are both on their own epic journey, will not make an appearance in this story again.
"It's gonna get pretty dull here without 'um, ya now?" Daxter said looking over the note one last time.
"Ya. Well, in that case, "Our Asses," won't have to put up with any abuse for a long haul for awhile," Jak said now biting the end of an unused straw. Daxter glanced up at him, putting the note on the bar table. Jak noticed this arched an eyebrow. Dax could read any facial expressions of Jak's.
When the two were young boys, young Jak hadn't been blessed with the gift of speech, and was known to the rest of the world as a mute. Though that never stopped one puny boy in the village from befriending him. Not too hard to find out who that one boy was. And after the many years the two had spent together, Daxter new what a "What?" face looked like.
"Don't gimme that look," Dax smiled. "I'm just laugh'n at you. You STILL chew on bendy straws?" Jak slowly stopped biting over the plastic tube in his mouth. It was slightly silent as Jak felt a tiny bit of blush of embarrassment, until Daxter laughed out loud. "I can't believe you haven't dropped that kid habit man!" "Ya, and like being afraid of the dark isn't a very childish thing?" Daxter's laughing halted quickly, "Hey! Not scared! Just trying to train myself to be mentally prepared since ya never know what's gonna be out there!" "And that gives reason to you grabbing my arm for comfort a niiiiiight how?" It was Daxter's turn to blush now as Jak almost fell back watching the heat fly to Daxter's cheeks. He tried to gain composure before Jak came up with more ammo to use.
"No Jak, I mean it's… Kinda nice see'n how some things haven't changed between us after all this time… Ya know?" Jak could feel his smile half fading as he still clamped onto the bendy straw with his teeth. He knew what this was about. After almost three years in the city, the surroundings have made Jak, lets say, cold. But nothing had such a great effect on his as much as the Dark Eco Experiments had. Dark Eco was one of the most mysterious of the Eco forms. It had many abilities. To force power, to alter someone, and of course to kill. The boys knew these lessons themselves all too well from experience.
With Daxter's own elfish body being transformed into its present small and fuzzy form, and for Jak himself… There was "Dark Jak…."
When the two had crossed through a riff through time, they wound up in Haven City, only too soon for Jak to be arrested and held prisoner in jail without Daxter. He was experimented on for a total of two years, being stabbed, probed, spliced, and injected with the dreaded substance, nearly killing him from the inside due to all of the Dark Eco intoxication within. Though Jak was lucky enough to have a body so willing, and so compatible with Eco of all types. Very lucky indeed… Else wise… He would have not survived…
He would never forget those two horrible long heart-breaking years. Two years in prison, two years without any sign of compassion or mercy, but worst of all, two years without, Daxter… Yes… Jak had his own gruesome and horrifying stories that had taken setting in prison, though he would never, and had never, spoken a word of it to Daxter. He would never want him to know what happened. He would never want to admit to him, that Daxter had been his only thought of assurance to help his mind rest at ease those nights. Just thinking he had a friend on the outside never giving up hope, and always searching for him had been enough to keep Jak on his feet. Two years seemed to be an utter eternity, that is, without your dearest of friends by your side. Strangely enough, the more time that passed by, the more Daxter transformed into some type of fantasy in his own mind. And why not? A fantasy is usually unobtainable, you're always longing for it, and deep down, there is a sad voice that plays songs in your sleep that says, "It can never be true." And so Jak's hope withered away little by little upon waiting for his partner's return.
Though finally, and thankfully, on one of the days of his many Dark Eco experiments, strapped to a table, being injected by electric dark Eco, surrounded by the rotted green slime infested walls of the prison, was the day his fade away fantasy would do just that… Fade…
He remembered it so clearly now… Crying out in pain of the electrocution just barely under a yell, he heard the voice of a machine.
"Dark Eco Injection Cycle complete. Bio-readings nominal and unchanged." The electrocuting stopped, and his sizzling and aching body hit the table. Still smoking, still bleeding. His eyes shut in his grimacing. He heard voices around him.
"Grrr… NOTHING! I was informed that THIS one might be different." A middle aged voice, sounding slightly croaky, loud, and powerful. A smoother and sinister voice that of which obviously belonged to a younger man, answered him.
"He is surprisingly resistant to your, experiments, Baron Praxis. I fear the Dark Warrior Program has failed." It was then Jak felt a giant fist from behind grab his from the very roots of his hair and lift his head off of the table. "You should at least be DEAD with all that Dark Eco I pumped into you!" The younger man continued to speak as Jak felt the mighty hand release his greasy and unkept locks. Prisons had never offered much for hygiene purposes either. "What now? Metalhead armies are pressing their attacks! Without a new weapon my men can not hold them off forever." Jak's eyes were still shut, and he had been so tired, but he still felt the rage of who he knew was the Baron beside him. "I will not be remembered as the man who lost this city to those vile CREATURES! Move forward with the final plan! Finish off this, thing, tonight." Hot breath steamed on Jak's sweaty face as someone clutched the scarf of his shirt, whispering, " I'll be back later." He then felt his body jerk back down onto the table. He continued to lie still in pain. He had just been so tired, even the words in his head stopped making sense…
If only…. You… if he could… here with me… he felt weariness kick in and blacked out on the table.
Jak had not dreamed at all those two years either… The occasional nightmare was to be excepted in a hellhole like that, yes, but no lighthearted dreams.
That's why Jak stirred a little… when he thought for the first time in two years…
He could hear Daxter's voice in his head…
"Hey buddy…" It seemed like a slight echo in his head, but he recognized the voice all to well…
" Ya see any heroes around here?" At this point, he felt something… Something small on his chest. Something that wasn't about to torture him, or pain him in anyway. It was something soft. And it continued to walk across his chest, up and down, sort of, pacing. He still dreamt of his partner's voice, just his voice…
" Jaaak! It's me! DAXTER!"
What? Jak peered open his eyes to see a haze of orange in front of him. …Dax? No… He couldn't believe it… It was just another dream. Or some stupid side effect by that stupid machine by Baron Praxis…
"Well that's a fine hello! I've been crawl'n around in this place, risking my TAIL! Literally, ta save you!" If Jak had the energy, he would've smiled. Daxter? Braving all of these ugly machines and knives for two years straight looking for me? Ya… tha'd be the day… " I've been look'n for you for two YEARS!" The voice no longer echoed, but was shouting. It was almost as if Daxter's voice had heard Jak's thoughts… Daxter… Jak continued in his mind. I always thought though… That you'd at least try… But the Baron… Jak felt his muscles in his right arm twitch. It's his fault… His fault we were separated in the first place! He felt energy; a slow moving and cold energy take hold of his lungs, muscles, all of him. Like a black snake constricting his very self. He was too caught up in the snake like grip to feel someone slightly shaking him nervously, "Say something! Just this ONCE!"
"I'M GONNA KILL PRAXIS!"
Jak's eyes were too filled with rage, anger, and hurt to realize, that Daxter was standing over him. "SSShhhhhh! Right now we gotta get you outta here…" With Jak's eyes now open, the only thing he could see was the bland and dreaded surroundings of the very same desolate prison he'd been sentenced too. The anger didn't stop pouring into his muscles. His breath became ragged, as if he was snarling while he took in air. He felt as if his nails burst out from his finger tips, everything around him started to change black. Daxter however, still hadn't noticed the abrupt changes in his friend… "Just let me figure out how ta open the security locks on your chair so I can ….." He turned around, just in time to see ghostly white hair standing on end like a lion's mane, two slightly curled black horns rising from the middle, and to come face to face with the black eyes he sadly knew belonged to Jak.
He jumped off the table immediately, only to have Jak rip off the locks that were bounding him to it. Daxter backed up, "or a, you could do it…" Jak turned his head towards the voice, and carefully jumped off the table. When he did walk, it was as if he was stumbling. Not from exhaustion, but as if he had gone wild, and he was cornering the very first of his pray… Daxter gulped and started to walk backwards as Jak grew nearer, " Jak? Eaaasy now! Easy buddy! I-it's your old pal Daxter, remember?" Daxter shielded his eyes and started to shake. That, was finally… the time Jak realized for the first time in so long… It was really him… "Daxter?"… and he was really back…
Jak's hair had returned to normal. The horns retreated, as well as the wild black eyes. His skin color, which had turned to a ghostly grey, was also back as it should be.
Daxter, thankful his friend had returned to his senses, had gone into one of his little uproars. But of course, he had plenty reason to do so.
"WHAT, the HECK! WazzAT? GEEZ! Remind me nat ta piss YOU off!" Jak was so stunned. It was Daxter al right. Same voice, same come backs… It was as if nothing had ever happened. And though Jak still couldn't bring himself to smile, he felt a giant wave of relief. No more waiting… He thought feeling the weight of Daxter back on his shoulder. And no more time wasted…
"Jak? Jaaaak! HELLLLLLLLO? Dax ta JAK! Dax ta JAK! Clear for landing if you have the BRAIN POWER!" Jak could feel himself being wrapped on the head. He opened his eyelids slowly. It was Daxter. Daxter with him, still at the Hip Hog. The ottsel crossed his arms as he looked down at Jak, who had put his head onto the bar table… He fell asleep… "Ya know Jak… I don't find my stories to be so boring. But maybe next time you could ATLEAST try ta PRETEND you're interested! C'mon Jak, humor me here!" Jak smiled. "Ohhhhhh no! A smile won't say "I'm sorry" THIS time buddy boy." He turned his back to Jak. "And wipe that adorable little drool stain from your mouth sleep'n beauty!" Jak couldn't help but laugh. He got up from the table and put both hands on Daxter's small shoulders.
Daxter, who was a tad nervous by his friends would be intentions, couldn't help but say, "If your gonna kiss me PLEASE Jak, the drool?" Jak kept laughing the whole time hugging the ottsel. Daxter blinked twice, very confused. Yup… The big guy just can't hold his own anymore… He thought kicking Jak's drink off the counter with his foot.
"Daxter…" Jak started to say, still holding his friend in the same soft hug. His laughing had stopped. Which was good, because Daxter found that too much humor from Jak that wasn't dry… Just wasn't Jak anymore. "I'm… " He sighed, and let Daxter go. Daxter made a face. He knew what this was about. Jak always got like this… Whenever Dax asked him what went on in prison Jak got like this. Dax put his small paw on Jak's back. "Hey… Don't worry about it… I've told you a thousand times, ya don't need ta talk about it…" Jak turned his head quickly, "Dax… You'll just…. Never…" The room had gotten silent as Daxter continued to stare at Jak. Who did nothing but look down. Blonde green hair covering his own true blue eyes. Jak heard Daxter's foot tap repeatedly, then he let out a small groan, "I didn't even ask ya about your "behind bar days"," Daxter said, using his small fingers as air quotes. "You got sumthin on your mind worth share'n paly… And sumthin you actually feel like tell'n me…" He held up a drink to Jak, now having his full attention. He winked at him, and dawned his traditional ear-to-ear grin. Glass still raised, as if he were drinking to Jak, or a toast to him. " …I'll listen."
That was all Jak needed to hear. He usually never just went off and thought about prison in his free time. It wasn't one of his, "Leisurely Activities." It must have been the drinks. He had to of had four, five drinks before Daxter came in. Strong ones.
"Maybe one day, ya want be sucha feman ta tell me," "Don't push it Dax, or I'll stuff you in one of these bottles," "Oh, THIS come'n from the guy who loves ta hug?"
Jak took Daxter in a headlock.
They were really quite a pair… To ever find a friendship such as the one they shared, would truly be, a noble feet… For there is only a small sum… And it is sad to say so… However…. It was possible the two cared a little TOO much about each other, yes, that's the word for it. Because the two didn't start to drift… Until after the events that occurred this very same night…
The sliding doors to the Hip Hog slid open. Jak, who was now holding Daxter upside down from his toes, swiveled his head towards the door. It was Torn. He was breathing rapidly, from his obvious running pace.
"JAK!" He started. "Trouble! In an alley near H.Q.! The KG have found out a way to soup up their Death Bots with plasmite shields. My men can't touch 'um without gett'n burned! And unfortunately you're the only Peace Maker guy in the area. You and the rodent start run'n there, NOW!" Jak wrenched a grip around Daxter's waist.
"WOAAHH! Easy!" "No time, let's go." The three disappeared out of the sliding doors, leaving the bar completely empty…