I LIVE! Ahahahahahahaha! (Whoever can guess what I'm referencing gets reader cookies and my undying affection. And no, I'm not imitating Mushu from Mulan, although he is an awesome character)

And I come bearing… a CHAPTER!

Author's Notes: Switching gears, we're gonna take a quick look at the Ecolians named last chapter and their take on this whole thing. They're more than just beings of worship for some of the humans on the surface. They have their own personalities and dreams and lives, and they have one common goal. What is it? Read on...

Okay, sorry about the late update. Technical difficulties. The only reason I was able to publish a new story (Tooth and Claw) was because I wrote part of it using my tablet, and the rest on my mom's laptop. But I'm back! Hip hip, huzzah!

Disclaimer: Well, I haven't gotten an email from Naughty Dog saying Jak and Daxter are now mine, so sadly I'm not having that party just yet. One day, though... one day!

Please R&R!

"The Ecolians have been around since the creation of the planet. According to Unfilled sources, they are the first children of the Precursors, created from the Eco that powers the universe. But something went terribly wrong at their creation, and they now need humans for whatever purpose they were originally intended for." -Professor Cutter Erwin, teacher of Unfilled children and current headmaster of the Unfilled School of Emergence

Lumina, the unofficial leader of the Ecolians, had called an emergency meeting for the first time in three years to speak about the crisis. Those that had the strength to travel did so, causing some minor Eco surges in various spots, flowing along the Eco lines and through lakes, wells, and silos around the world to the core. Those that did not asked their neighbors to tell them what was decided. Eventually, all would know the Council's decision.

When most of the planet's Ecolians had gathered in the core, the meeting began. Though all could move freely through the vast Eco sphere that lay near ancient Precursor structures, each Ecolian had taken shelter among others of their type, Green among Green, Blue among Blue, Red among Red, and so on. At the very center of this congregation of Ecolians were the six cardinals. Azura, Lumina, Viridis, Saffron, Umbra, and Rubeus. The six types of Eco represented in each of the vaguely human figures, each showing signs of what living Eco should look like.

The cardinals sat in a copy of the temple above, the pillar of crystalline Eco a narrow spire running between the thrones. Azura drummed his fingers against the arm of his seat of power, pale blue eyes watching everything precociously and bolts of blue-white lightning arced across his sapphire body. Lumina's snowy white body sat calmly in his solid white crystal, light blue strings of arrows lazily rotating around his entire body, ash-gray eyes surveying the others expressionlessly. From his own throne, Viridis toyed with a feathered strand of Green Eco, his emerald body encircled with new-leaf-green vines, and his bright green eyes were focused mainly on the Eco in his slender hand. In contrast, Saffron was sitting perfectly still, even the sharply pointed lemon lines on her golden body staying in place, though her daffodil eyes were darting about with a far-off cast. Umbra was sulking on her throne, black body punctuated with flashes of crimson, violet, and indigo light and purple comets flying across her body. Passionate purple eyes watched the others warily. Finally, Rubeus was focused on a ball of Red Eco in her hand, maraschino cherry-colored chains tightening and loosening on her blood-red body, and her dark pink eyes intent on manipulating the Eco into a crystal.

When the concerned murmurs from the crowds of Ecolians behind, above, and below their respective cardinals ceased, Lumina began to speak.

"My fellow Eco-quan, I have called us together for one important thing. Our future is in peril," he said gravely. A chorus of gasps echoed around the core. Saffron and most of her Yellow Ecolians nodded in confirmation.

"The Lodestar Vessel known as Jessie Sagai refuses our advances every time. If we do not act fast, we may never attain our goal. My brothers and sisters, we may never obtain physical bodies."

Saffron rose and regarded those before her sternly.

"Despite our daily dosing of the human girl with pieces of our essence, Miss Sagai has the strength to repel us. While it may have been necessary to eliminate the previous obstacles to our goal, the revealing of the prophecy may have been hasty. My Seers agree with my observations, and Yellow Eco visions do not lie. Because of our actions twenty years ago, we may have forced our own hand today. If we do not convince the Lodestar Vessel to channel at least three of us cardinals by the time the Precursor Stone is awakened, I fear we will fail in our mission. This cannot happen," she spoke evenly, giving the other five Ecolians seated around her long, serious looks. Azura stopped buzzing and sat still for the first time since the meeting began. All eyes widened as Viridis stood up to reply.

"I agree, Saffron. But thankfully, because we removed the 'obstacles,' I was briefly channeled by the Lodestar Vessel three years ago. Her body bears my mark, and though it has faded over time, mirrors will remind her of that every day. I may be the best choice for the job of convincing her among us all. And unlike Rubeus, I will be gentle and calm while I work," he said sweetly, giving the Red Ecolian a gaze like the thorns that seemed to appear on his vines momentarily. She glared back, jumping to her feet.

"Well, I may not be as soft and caring as Viridis, but at least I get the job done. This is war, my people. There comes a time when you have to put away the niceties and get rough, and that time is coming. When that happens, come and get me. I'll be preparing my Ecolians," she shot back gruffly. Being the living embodiment of Red Eco made her a bit hotheaded and more likely to use force than politics, but also made her one of the strongest and toughest Ecolians out there. Besides, she did have a point. This was war, a war against time itself. And if they lost, there would be no second chance.

Azura raised a trembling hand, but not from fear. It shook from the sheer energy contained inside the Blue Ecolian. And right now, that energy had been put to work in one of the greatest minds in the world to come up with a very important question.

"But Saffron, what about the Sentinel and the Eyes? Without them, we may never take stable form," he asked rapidly, foot tapping instead of his fingers. She nodded once in reply.

"The Eyes has already started to show signs of his gifts. My bond with him grows stronger with every passing moment. The time will come when he is ready to take up the mantle of his role in this. And you needn't worry about the Sentinel. He is Lumina and Umbra's problem, not ours," Saffron replied firmly, glancing at the two opposing Ecolians. While she was frequently grouped with Umbra in the Triad of Death the silly humans had come up with, Saffron had always liked Lumina more. Perhaps it was his tranquil mood, or the careful manner he always did everything with that spoke of his patience and intelligence. Whatever the case, right now, he was the key to the final part of the prophecy, he and Umbra. Light and Dark, working together. It amazed her that it was possible, and yet there they were.

Lumina and Umbra shared a knowing look, and the Dark Ecolian rose.

"My connection to the Sentinel has grown stronger over the past two years, though Lumina has had an effect on him. I have faith in our ability to preserve him for the final event," she said confidently. That made the others breathe a sigh of relief. The tenacity and passion of the Dark Ecolians was renowned among all the Eco-quan. Sure, there was a shadow on their reputation, mainly because of their connection to the Dark Makers and the Metal Heads, but they made up for it by always keeping their promises. If a Dark Eco-quan swore they would do something, then it would be done.

"Now that we are all up to date on the situation, I propose we have Viridis attempt to convince the Lodestar Vessel to channel two more of us. All in favor?" Lumina asked serenely, holding up his hand. Four more joined him, the only one lacking being Rubeus. No one was surprised at this.

"Since we have a majority vote, the Green Eco-quan shall do their best to cajole Jessie Sagai into becoming the Lodestar Vessel. If they fail to do so before the Precursor Stone is unearthed and revived by the Prince, then all will be lost. The Precursors will have too much power over us to allow the Lodestar Vessel to revive us," he projected, reminding all of the penalty of failure. Viridis bowed his head proudly.

"We will not fail. If what Saffron has told me is true, our chance will come very soon," the Green cardinal replied securely.

With that final statement, the meeting ended, and each type of Ecolian began to drift back to their homes in lakes, channels, and wells of Eco. Umbra and the other Dark Ecolians were the last to leave, her eyes flashing violently at the retreating backs of the others. Unbeknownst to Azura, Lumina, Viridis, Saffron, and Rubeus, she had been given another part of the prophecy by a hidden benefactor of their cause. There was a being out there that was more powerful than the Precursors, one that promised they would attain physical form if Umbra did as she asked. And so help her, she wanted it.

All she had to do was create a rift between the Vessel and the Sentinel before their bond could grow too strong, and the Eco-quan would be given their own bodies. Already, Umbra had begun the first stage in her plan. She had been giving a tiny bit more of her essence than the other cardinals, and had already placed a substantial chunk inside the Sentinel. The two pieces would attract each other and make the Vessel doubt herself, and the rift would be created.

Everything was going according to plan.

Author's Notes: And now, the reviews! Huzzah!

Eragonfan33 (chapter 4, Jan. 1) – Yeah, I would be, too, if I heard people talking in my head. But the Ecolians are a special case, and so is Jessie (and don't worry, Jessie and Jak are going to meet VERY soon). I have so much in store for you all. MUAHAHAHAHA! Ahem, sorry.

Guest (chapter 4, Jan. 1) – I know, right? Just think how sparkly and glowing they are... but I don't think either of us could handle the Eco surge. Sadly, we have no way of finding out. Personally, I would be torn between Lumina and Umbra, mostly because they're both so cool! And Viridis, too. I did like that chapter, too. Imagine how much it would have cost to actually build that temple and the monolith behind it. Whoo, that's a lot of money.

Leach60 (chapter 4, Jan. 27) – Well, welcome, Leach60. I'm glad you like it, too.

Hey, people! Do you think we can manage a few more reviews next time? What can I say? I'm greedy for feedback. And don't be afraid to speak your mind. Just remember that I'll ignore all flames (which means I won't respond to it), so use constructive criticism! Okay, I'll stop demanding so much of you and write the next chapter.

Wild Cat 214, out!