Jak and Crash
ACT 1: Beginning
Chapter 3: The Discovery or…Dark Makers came from Outer Space

Haven Palace Dungeons
Month 15: Precurso, Day 16
Year: 2 AOTN (Age of the Nations)
Time: Afternoon

"Dear…Diary…I think I'm going crazy. I keep having these strange visions, telling me that everything will be alright. Perhaps it's just hallucinations from being lonely for such a long period of time, perhaps it's the only thing left in me, clinging onto hopes, but all I know is…I feel as though I am…slipping…slipping…SLIPPING AWA—"
"WOULD YOU SHUT UP, N. GIN?" Coco bellowed, "We've only been here for a day, you moron!"
"I know I'm going crazy. I know that girl! She's suppose to be dead!" Gin cried out, ignoring his jail buddies and continuously faking his melodrama. The five, still in their ball gowns and tuxedos (and one kimono) have spent near a day already trapped in a traditional dungeon, complete with torches and gray brick walls. They didn't look too bad for wear, but looked considerably less appealing then last night.
"Man, we ain't never gettin' out of here at this rate." Tawna said as she moved around the jail cell, "I mean, there don't seem to be no secret passages located anywhere here!"
"Secret passages?" Coco scuffed, "This is real life, Tawna, not some fiction crap!"
"There has to be some sorta entrance. What kind of idiot doesn't have a secret tunnel in jail cells!" Tawna asked, her voice rising over each word.
"Ones whose cells are l-l-l-l-l-l-l-located on a p-p-p-p-p-p-palace built to reach the s-s-s-s-s-s-s-sky." Brio answered. Tawna glared back at him before continuing her quest for a secret exit. Oddly, out of the five, only Cortex seemed to remain calm. His legs were cross, his eyes were shut, and each of his hand was one his laps as he seemed to be pondering or meditating of some sort.
"Remember when I said Tropy always leaves us in the most inappropriate times?" Gin started, "This is one of those times. So, in conclusion, I've said it before and I'll say it again, this sucks AND blows and we're gonna die."
"We are not going to die." Cortex finally spoke up, opening his eyes, but retaining his position, "There is always hope, there is always a light behind that door. There is always—"
"Finish that corny monologue and I'm gonna make this missile on my head explode." Gin threatened.
"But aren't you t-t-t-t-t-t-the one complaining a-a-a-a-a-about how you d-d-d-d-d-d-don't wanna die?" Brio asked.
"If I wanna die, I'll die by explosions." Gin answered, "That's how I always envisioned my death." A silence befell.
"N.Gin, you're a morbid person." Tawna said.
"Why is life so hard?" Gin whimpered, "Why are we stuck on the threshold of another planet when I could be making nuclear missiles or other mass weapons of destruction? Why couldn't this mission be easier? It was in the beginning! We just flew and then partied at an elegant ball with GREAT FOODS! WHAT HAPPENED?"
"Old Japanese proverb: Beginning is easy—Continuing is hard." Cortex commented, "We will get through. Fate will lead us to the door."

………………

Haven Palace, Royal Rooms
Month 15: Precurso, Day 16
Year: 2 AOTN (Age of the Nations)
Time: Afternoon (getting to Evening)

Leaning against the window, Jak eyeballed the sky which started to turn slowly into a muddle of orange, blue, yellow, red, and some slight green from the green sun as evening started to take over. There, he kept pondering of a plan to free the five strangers from another planet. Ani sat by him, whimpering ever so often towards her master and friend. Jak occasionally petted the pup to let her know he was fine, and then he'd resume thinking of an idea to free them. After all, they were his gateway to figuring out the recent invasions and those crazy visions on his head. It was only Veger that prevented him from gaining any certain advantages. That man had quite a charismatic grip on Alexandros as well as a massive devotion towards his malicious goals.

"That Veger, the world's biggest creep; twirling my grandmother, a smart, intelligent woman, like a stringed puppet with his antics and lies. Bloody old bastard." Jak cried out. Other then Ani, the only other person he had to chat with was that his COMP, Puar who, technically wasn't a person. COMPS occupied Haven and in a way, acted as a versatile portable phone, holding organizations, schedules, TVs, and the likes. Puar was special though, she had emotions, something COMPS have yet to possess, making her innovative for her time. Where and when she came is a complete mystery as she mysteriously showed up to the royal family some years ago and has stood close by them since, especially towards Jak. When asked of her origins, she refused to say anything and often changed the subject.
"I'm telling you, it doesn't make sense." Jak said, "My grandmother is no fool, so why would she even think about considering Veger's words when most of them are obvious lies to even the most foolhardy?"
"Perhaps she's testing you." Puar hovered near Jak, "Perhaps this is all a big exam to see if you truly got what it takes to be King."
"Maybe." Jak shrugged, "But she's usually straightforward, she wouldn't be so secretive."
"I think we should be concentrating more on the current threats, your connecting visions, and those five strangers from another dimension, planet, or whatever." Puar said. Jak and Ani both nodded in agreement.
"I need to take a breather." Jak shook his head. With Ani and Puar both tagging behind, Jak left his room, again thinking. This is insane. What is this new threat? How do I free those five? Grandmother won't listen to me so easily, not with Veger pulling her strings. Should I get someone else to do it? Am I cruel to use an innocent scapegoat to free them? Maybe I should—

BUMP!

"AHH!"
"OW!"
"HEY! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOI—OH! Chiso!" Jak gasped. He opened his eyes and saw the person he bumped into, the small boy with the glasses that always clung around to Veger like a suction cup. Chiso tilted his glasses back to his head and adjusted it. Once regaining his vision, he eyed Jak who gave off a concern appearance. Surrounding both of them were thick leather bound books and scrolls. Immediately, the boy named Chiso shrieked.
"I'MSORRY!I'MSORRY!I'MSORRY!" Chiso cried out rapidly as he tried to pick up the scrolls and books in a hasty manner, "I just had SO many books and scrolls, I couldn't see where I was going and…and…I must've hit you! I didn't mean to, your majesty. Please forgive me!"
"It's okay. It's okay. Relax. Try to breathe." Jak said, calming the panicky individual, then he proceeded to help Chiso carry the books and scrolls, "Besides, I guess part of it's my fault. I was lost in thought and didn't watch where I was going."
"Oh-No! Don't blame yourself, you can't!" Chiso cried out, "It's all my fault! I was just too stupid to carry so many books and…and…"
"Geez, calm down before you have a seizure or something!" Puar cried out, "You're making Puar's ears bleed."
"What ears?" Jak asked, and then he turned to Chiso, "I'm alright. I can help carry some of these books and scrolls. So, heading for the library?"
"Yes, Uncle Veger needs them." Chiso nodded, fiddling with his glasses before the two started to walk towards the palace's library. Chiso was a boy of 15, only a couple of inches shorter then Jak, but you could never really tell as he always hunched his shoulders and bent his back a little as if he was afraid of everything in the world. He had on round circular glasses, brown hair tied back to a ponytail, and an elegant blue trench coat with matching blue pants. He wore expensive black boots and gray gloves, as well as a brown belt that carried various little things, the most notable and out of place, an umbrella. He also spoke with a slightly thick Liverpool accent, indicating he is not from around Haven, but near, nonetheless.
Jak eyed the book on top of the others he was carrying, its front cover read, "Eco: Theories and How they Work."
"Hmmm, your uncle getting interested in eco, is he?" Jak asked, suspicious as usual towards him.
"Yes, he wants to stop those dark creatures as much as your grandmother, the Queen does." Chiso nodded, "He thinks studying about dark eco will help him conquer it with his magic. He's so good with his magic…unlike me."
"Chiso." Jak started, "Moping around isn't going to help you improve your spells. Ever since I've met you, you've been quite a downer."
"I'm sorry." Chiso said. He's only recently moved to Haven by his parents to his uncle Veger.
"Don't apologize to me." Jak disciplined, "Apologize to yourself. You're your own worst enemy. If you don't have self confidence, how do you expect to match the level Veger has? Ewugh, I can't believe I actually made a positive comment towards Veger." Chiso merely starred at Jak with his usual worried gaze.
"I'm just…like that, I guess, Prince Christof." Chiso meekly said, trying desperately to hide his face behind the books and scrolls, "I was…just never strong."

………………

The library was one of the largest sections of Haven Palace. Containing basically every book in existence, Jak spent many hours engrossed inside the halls of literature, preferring the richness of books as oppose to television. His lifestyle in Sandover never truly left him and while he has absolutely nothing against technology (he's used his fair share), sometimes he prefers the much more simple approach, especially with books as he generally claim TV as a "waste of time." His frequent visits had Jak visiting the usual librarians in charge of the library as well as scholars and sorcerers such as Chiso and Veger, so it was much surprising to see Michel in the library.

"Michel, you're in a library…without your assistants." Jak gasped, placing the books and scrolls down, "What happen? Did someone replace you with a robot?"
"Oh, very funny, Prince Christof." Michel grinned, "You always love to make the jokes to me."
"Better then insults like those time long ago, ey?" Jak commented. Indeed, their first meeting was nothing short of a disaster as back then, Jak was still Jak, a young boy transported from his simple farm village to a dystopian city, and Michel was a pompous, selfish celebrity. The background between the two caused much intensity that was only solved during the final war between the precursians and Metal heads where Michel himself joined the battle. Afterwards, aside from being a celebrity, he was hired as Jak's main dresser, so of course a surprise was expected when both were reunited (Michel's especially upon seeing that he has insulted the prince the whole time). While Michel still has his self-centered, vain moments, he has considerably gotten friendlier.
"I am here to just pick up the magazine of where it features me in their front cover. You weel read it, no?" Michel continued.
"I don't really read magazines, Michel." Jak shrugged, "Especially not now, I have my hands full."
"I assume it iz the five strangerz whom speak as though they are from zey another univerze." Michel said.
"Yes, although unlike most of the residences here, I have reasons to believe them and with worse coming to worse, I might have no choice but to free them of my own will." Jak stated, "And when I meant my own will, I mean in secret."
"How will you be doing zat?" Michel gasped, "Moi Veger possesses great and incrediboi magic. No one can get past it!"
"That's the point; I'm trying to think of a way." Jak said, "My eco powers are not strong enough, but if I just put my mind to it, I'm sure I can think of some clever way to free them. This is important. They could be the ones to help me sort out these visions and stop those dark creatures."
"Well, who weel you find zat possess magical powers of near caliber of moi Veger?" Michel asked. Immediately upon finishing his sentence, Michel as well Jak suddenly grew a light bulb over their heads and turned to gaze at Chiso who was only causally listening to the two chat up until that point.
"…What?"

………………

"Why am I such a pushover?" Chiso moaned. He was standing near the dungeon entrance.
"Alright, Chiso, cast a spell to remove Veger's barrier or at least block it out so Michel can free them." Jak ordered. He wasn't with them but rather outside the palace gates dressed in his usual light blue winter coat, talking to them via Puar.
"I…I don't know if my magic is as strong as my uncle's to do such a thing." Chiso said, although to Jak and Michel, he's repeated this numerous times between their chat in the library and now.
"Chiso, you're the only one who knows Veger's magic inside and out; for Precursors' sake, you're trained right under his sniveling nose." Jak commented. Chiso made a terrifying whimper as his answer. Walking ever so softly to the edge of the door, Chiso calmly took out his umbrella which he used as his primary source of weapon and wand, neither of which he felt was good at. He made another whimper.
"Come on, Chiso, you can zee do it. Have in the much faith." Michel forced a smile. Chiso, slightly blushing, nodded, and extended his arms and hands which were gripping onto the umbrella. Opening it up, Chiso closed his eyes and concentrated. Before he knew what truly happened, a blast of magic left his umbrella, flew up in the air, and covered the entire dungeon, although it immediately grew transparent.
"Hey, I did it!" Chiso squeaked, "I created a barrier to block my uncle's magic! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"
"Well, then it iz moi's turn now." Michel scurried past Chiso and entered the dungeon (where he retaliated on how dirty it was and that it was ruining his shoes) where the five were. They immediately perked their heads up upon seeing Michel. Their reactions were nothing but silence and shock.
"Hello, it is zee good to be seeing you all." Michel smiled, flashing his white teeth which seem to shine vivaciously despite the dankness of the dungeon.
"Hey, am I the only one hallucinating an image of a flamboyant French guy or can you all see him too?" N. Gin wearily pointed out.
"No, I see him!" Cortex gasped, "Who are you? Are you with those "Krimzon Guards?"
"By the Precursors, no." Michel flayed his hand, "Too much sweats and muscles, even if some of them are finely built. I am here to be zee rescuing you by order of Prince Christof."
"You were sent by Prince Christof?" Tawna asked as Michel took out the keys for the lock, "Where the hell did he found ya? A gay bar?"
"Oh-No, he first met me in zee middle of Mar's memorial Stadium, he and I bumped into each other and things, well…zey did not go well at first, but ever since working for him, he and I, we are like zee friends now." Michel giggled, unlocking the dungeon gates.
"Aren't you worried about s-s-s-s-s-security?" Brio asked.
"Oh, zey are not zee problem at the moment for zey are—"

WHOOOOOO! WHOOOOOO!

Michel never got the chance to finish his sentence as the alarm rang. Michel stared back to where Chiso was, the younger boy flabbergasted.
"M-Magic must've failed!" Chiso squeaked, "I-I'm sorry!" Michel muttered under his breath, and then quickly eyed the five.
"You must be running away to zee outside of palace. The prince has sent a helper to help you on zee quest of yours. He's name is Jak." Michel ordered, "Please, move zee quickly before it iz too late!"
"Wait, Jak! I know that name!" Cortex gasped, "It was in a newspaper clipping and—" Coco at that point dragged Cortex.
"Come on, shorty, we can worry about who's who later, AFTER we escape." Coco said, dragging a reluctant Cortex. After the five made their leave, Michel and Chiso did well to split and move on about their own business.

Cortex's crew had to maneuver through the palace's many rooms and floors; luckily the entire place was generally straight forward. They had to get to the nearest elevator, go down to the lowest level of the palace, then take the elevator that would take them down, and then run out the palace gates where this "Jak" was waiting for them. Unfortunately for them, they had to do all that with the Krimzon Guards hot on their heels.
"I see an elevator!" Gin pointed. The five immediately got in after Cortex pushed the button. Inside, Cortex frantically tried to find the button that would lead them down. He tried his best to read the Precursian language.
"Hurry up!" Coco cried.
"We're gonna die!" Gin shouted.
"CORTEX!"
"I'M TRYING! DON'T RUSH ME!" Cortex shouted, then with what he was sure was it, closed his eyes and pushed the button. They felt themselves go down and took that time to breathe a sigh of relief. When the elevator stopped and the doors swung open, the five cautiously peeked to their left and right before running to the main elevator that led them down. Within inches of reaching their destination, a huge horde of Krimzon Guards blocked their way.
"Of course." Cortex sighed, looking like he was defeated, but in seconds, the five got into battle position and unleashed all hell on the KG squad. They soon fell in mere minutes and the five huddled themselves on the main elevator down.
"Ugh, this would have been less frustrating if I wasn't wearing a dress." Coco cried.

Before long, the five exhausted crew managed to stagger their way to the palace gates where they had to climb over the gates. There, Jak, smiling in a sly manner awaited them.
"Hello there, we meet again, ey?" Jak said. All five looked up like he was some crazy man, giving off a hearty hello despite their current condition, but it was only Cortex and Coco who gave off looks of shock.
"YOU!" Coco shouted with a surprised tone as well as one of anger.
"We meet again, Coco." Jak smiled, "Well then, I guess we best be on the move, shall we?"
"But our outfits, we can't run in ball gowns and tuxedos and –" Coco cried out before KG forces' voices were heard.
"Well, we can now!" Cortex said, "Tawna, Gin, Brio, you three get back to the airship! Coco and I will go with young Jak and find some answers!" There were no questions asked, Tawna, Gin, and Brio merely nodded and ran off.
"Come on, we must get to the Bazaar Area." Jak ordered, "Move it!"
"HEY! You're not the boss of me!" Coco yelled.
"JUST MOVE!" Cortex ordered both, "ARGUE LATER!" And with that, two groups of three made their separate ways as KG forces searched high and low for the prisoners.

………………

Bazaar Area
Month 15: Precurso, Day 16
Year: 2 AOTN (Age of the Nations)
Time: Evening

The bazaar had a slight Arabian look. Marketplaces were common as well as glaring neon signs which ironically fit the less technological area. A quick stop had to be me made in order for Jak to buy Coco and Cortex some temporary jackets.
"So, what exactly are we looking for in the bazaar?" Cortex asked, "How does this help us?"
"Prince Christof told me everything, how you wish to find your son and how in return, you will help him in his current problems dealing with the recent invasion of those dark creatures." Jak stated, "The prince doesn't know what is causing all this or what those creatures are, so I was sent by him to find the one person who might know."
"What I want to know is out of ALL the people the prince recommended, it had TO BE YOU!" Coco screeched.
"Yes, Coco, can you BE any louder?" Cortex sarcastically asked.
"Yea, Coco, you have to be quiet." Jak placed his index finger to his lips, "You guys are wanted and news travel fast, especially in the bazaar where rumors and gossips travel as quickly as trades." Coco mumbled something unpleasant at this point.
"I know you're frustrated, but could you please try and make a bloody smile on your face, you're bringing down the whole group." Jak spoke through his sly face.
"WHAT group?" Coco cried out, "We have me, midget man, and YOU, annoying git."
"Seriously, is she like this?" Jak whispered to Cortex.
"I wish I could tell you that she's gotten better." Cortex shook his head.
"So, are we there yet?" Coco muttered.
"Actually, we are!" Jak smiled. He pointed to a medium size tent about the size of someone's bedroom. A skull and cross bone graced the top.
"A tent?" Coco said through confused eyes, "Who the hell's inside a tent that can help us?"
"One of the wisest Precursians in the world." Jak smiled, "Come on." Coco and Cortex stared at each other, gave a short shrug, and then proceeded.

Inside were a mess of ancient objects raging from dream catchers, butterflies in cages, totem pole with lights glowing inside, pendants, and any other objects the New Age would be proud of. Right in the middle however was an elderly blind woman who had her legs crossed, hands in midair with some fingers closed to her fist, some sticking out. She was covered in beads and rags, but the strangest part was the giant dish bowl-like hat on her head. Inside that so-called dish bowl was a multi colored parrot, but with monkey feature. He looked asleep with his wings folded around his torso and head down. The two would have worked well as statues amongst the items surrounding the tent. Jak kneeled down on a dusty, patched cushion while Coco and Cortex stood side by side. There, Jak cleared his throat.
"Not now, I need more sleep." said the parrot/monkey hybrid. Coco and Cortex eyed each other, then towards the monkey/parrot.
"Pecker, YES NOW." Jak said firmly, "This is important and I know you and Onin know a bit about these recent threats." Jak ordered, "So wake up!" Pecker made an irritating groan and stretched his wings. Onin then moved her arms, flaying them around as if she was swaying away flies.
"Onin said it is good to see you again. She expected your arrival." Pecker spoke through his Spanish sounding accent, "She said you are troubled because of the recent waves of those dark creatures."
"No duh." Coco muttered softly. Cortex glared at her in a fatherly manner, so she switched to another subject, "He's a monkey…bird thing."
"I am called a Monkaw, young lady!" Pecker spat.
"Pecker… (then he eyed Onin) Please, Onin, I'd like to know just what these creatures are and why they are attacking Precursia." Jak asked. Onin then flayed her arms around as usual while Coco and Cortex merely stared with mixed results.
"Onin said these creatures have not returned in some time, but has existed since the time of the Precursors." Pecker started, "She doesn't exactly know and is learning as much as she can, but Onin will tell you that they are called "Dark Markers."
"Dark Makers." Jak repeated.
"Yes, the origin of that name is unknown, but it is what they are called for the time being. They are numerous in numbers with rumors saying the Precursors banished them long ago." Pecker continued, "But they have returned."
"To what, destroy the planet?" Coco asked.
"Or rule it?" Cortex added.
"It is uncertain." Pecker continued translating Onin, "Nobody knows what the Dark Maker's primary goal is." Jak groaned, disappointed.
"Onin says you might have better luck in the magical Empire of Lucius where the Empress there might now." Pecker said, "After all, who better to know about the forces of mystics and magicks, the ancients and Precursors then Lucians?"
"So, I should try and visit the Empress?" Jak asked. Onin and Pecker nodded. Jak nodded back and stood up.
"Alright, then I guess we better go there." Jak nodded.
"Good, yea, whatever, now leave!" Pecker said harshly, "You already ruined five minutes of my nap time. Now SHOO!" And with that, the three of them were out of there.
"Nice guy." Coco said, eyes half closed, arms crossed.
"So, we go to Lucius?" Cortex asked.
"Yes." Jak nodded, "Once I tell Prince Christof, we'll go to Lucius. I don't think we can take one of his private jets though, we can't raise suspicions."
"We'll go on the Nicodemus II!" Cortex proudly said, "It's my airship and it's hidden in Haven Forest. It'll fly as smooth as a cucumber!" Jak smiled, his life just brightened up a notch.
"Great, then I'll tell the prince about this." Jak nodded.
"Then what?" Coco asked, shrugging.
"Hmmm…the prince wants to leave the palace, so how about tonight, you bring in Nicodemus II near the palace and we'll hide him in there? Then it's off to Lucius." Jak said. Cortex thought for a minute.
"I know it's risky, but the sooner the better, as well as faster, the better." Jak said, keeping a concerned, yet hopeful face.
"Fine then, we'll see you come midnight!" Cortex smiled brightly, winking.
"We will?" Coco asked, eyes cocked.
"Of course, you must always have hope." Cortex winked again, "We'll see you later!" Cortex then left with a much less excited Coco.
"Bye, Coco. Remember to smile!" Jak once again made his sly look. Coco quickly eyed him, sighed, and then left.

………………

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Walter asked, seemingly not too concerned, but rather eager.
"Yes." Jak nodded, packing his valuables, "I must find out the cause of these Dark Makers and what they plan to do to this planet."

In Jak's room was Jak himself, Puar hovering over him, as well as Ani, Chiso, Michel, Daxter, and Walter. Jak was donned in a typical royal outfit where he planned to reveal himself to Cortex's crew as the prince once aboard the Nicodemus II. Daxter had come along upon Jak's request while Kiera was downstairs with her father, Samos who was busy chatting up with the royal family on what he currently knew of the dark eco crystal he had.

"But I cannot expect to be Prince Christof all the time while you are zee away, so come home as quickly as zee possible." Michel shook his head, a mixture of concern and vanity. Aside from being Jak's dresser, Michel was often time acted as a "double" for Prince Christof as the two were the ones most like each other in appearance. Jak refused to believe there were any resemblances whatsoever and still outright denies it.
"I'll try, but I can't make any promises." Jak said.
"Your grandmother will be thoroughly pissed, Master Christof." Walter chuckled.
"Yes, I know." Jak answered, and then he eyed Walter, "Watch over her for me…Kiera, too."
"With my life, I will." Walter bowed. Jak smiled, and then started to head outside, "Coco's going to be royally pissed when she finds out Jak and Christof are the same person…no pun intended."
"So…I guess this is good-bye for now." Daxter said. Jak raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"You're not coming?" Jak asked, "I invited you over because I thought you were. You always do, no matter how many times you complain."
"Hey! I got a bar and a babe to watch over now." Daxter pointed to himself, "I don't have time to go on some silly adventure."
"Fine, be a coward." Jak shrugged.
"HEY! I am NOT a coward!"
"Whatever you say, Dax."
"I'M NOT!"
"Okay."
"STOP THAT! I know you're just fooling around!"
"No, I'm not."
"YES YOU ARE!"
Jak shrugged and made a hearty laugh. Walter joined along, seeing the fun in this little "game." Ani and Puar both exchanged sly grins.
"OH, WIPE THAT GRIN OFF YOUR FACE, PUPPY!" Daxter pointed to Ani who proceeded to laugh. Daxter, pissed, went up to Jak, "I am NOT a coward! Without me, you wouldn't even BE around!" And with that Daxter leaped to Jak's shoulder.
"So, I'm guessing Daxter's coming, too, right?" Puar asked.
"Ya damn right, sweetheart!" Daxter boast, "I'll uhh…tell Tess later to hold down the bar till then."
"Ahhh, good ol' Daxter." Jak said.
And with that, they awaited out in the balcony for the sight of Nicodemus II.

…………………

"So we gotta take both Prince Christof AND that Jak kid with us?" Tawna asked.
"Yep." Cortex nodded as he steadily drove the Nicodemus, "They help us find my son, and we help them deal with these so-called Dark Makers."
"I don't get why his task is just finding my brother, but our favor in return is destroying an entire evil force or whatever." Coco groaned.
"A deal is a deal." Cortex said firmly, "Besides, it's nothing we can't handle."
"Yea, Coco!" Tawna cried out, enthusiastic, "I'm all a-ready for some ass kickin'!"
"There's the palace." Gin pointed, and then he squint his eyes, "I think I see the prince."
"How do you know it's h-h-h-h-h-him?" Brio asked.
"He's wearing a crown, stupid."
"And he's waving, he sees us." Cortex said, "We better hurry before anyone else does. So, I pray between now and when we get there, there won't be any interruptions."

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Cortex and his band of friends started to rock back and forth. Nicodemus II was hit!
"I think you spoke too soon." Coco sighed.
"What the hell hit us!" Cortex shouted. He got his answer immediately when a dozen or so of the tentacle Dark Makers started to fly by, mainly heading for the palace.
"Oh, good Lord!" Cortex sighed, "Alright! Brace yourself!"
"What, what are we doing?" Coco asked hastily.
"We get in, get the prince, and scram! Let the Krimzon Guards deal with the threat. We don't have time for this shit!" Cortex said, "Get those thrusters activated!"
"ROGER!" Both Gin and Brio cried out. With that, the Nicodemus II pulled into full gear and headed straight for the palace.

Meanwhile, the entire Krimzon Guard force located inside the palace started to retaliate.

"SHOOT 'EM! SHOOT 'EM!" Torn repeatedly shouted. Waves of bullet flew through the air as the Dark Makers flew by. What they failed to see was they were aiming for their true target: Jak and unfortunately for him, Jak didn't know that. All he did was fight as much of those creatures as possible while eyeing the airship heading his way. Unfortunately, Torn and his soldiers eyed it, too.
"What is that?" Brutter asked.
"Some sort of airship." Torn answered, although he didn't sound so sure himself.
"That ship is owned by the escaped prisoners!" Veger shouted as he contacted Torn via head communicator Torn had on.
"What? You sure?"
"They mentioned they had a flying vehicle and that is not of this planet. So shoot it! SHOOT IT NOW!" Veger ordered, "They must be the ring leaders of this operations, so SHOOT THEM!"
"Hey! He doesn't take orders from you; he takes it from the Queen!" Ashelin shouted from the background. After a brief silence, the queen's voice rang into Torn's communicator,
"Shoot it." She ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." Torn nodded, "Front half, aim for the airship, the rest of you keep holding those dark creatures off! Brutter, you get Jak out of here!"
"YES, SIR!" Brutter saluted and ran off.

Once he reached the upper balcony where Jak was, Brutter immediately joined in his fight.

"Err…Master Jak, you is must be getting to safety!" Brutter ordered.
"I'm afraid I can't do that." Jak said.
"Why not!" He gasped.
"Reasons of my own." Jak answered.
"I just want to get out of here…ALIVE!" Daxter screamed, not caring how loud he was. As Jak fought, the Nicodemus came closer, albeit, in much danger.
"Those idiots are shooting at us and we're still going in the direction where the bullets are coming from?" Coco shouted.
"YEP! HOLD ON TIGHT!" Cortex shouted. The Nicodemus II started to loosen the thruster to make a landing which they barely did, knocking some of the palace's walls. There, Cortex left the pilot's seat and headed for the ship's deck.
"HURRY!" He cried.
"The Dark Makers!" Jak started to protest.
"YA WANNA SAVE THE WORLD OR WHAT?" Cortex shouted. Jak sighed, nodded, then immediately grabbed his supplies and made a run for it.
"YOUR MAJESTY, NO!" Brutter cried out, running after him. Jak leaped onto the deck with Daxter clinging tightly on his shoulders, Puar inside his pockets, and Ani jumping in after.
"The Dark Makers, we can't let them destroy the palace!" Jak cried.
"We'll have to deal with them later, we don't have time!" Cortex ordered, "Your soldiers think we're the enemies, no less "partners" with those vicious creatures. Now let's go inside the ship!"
"NO!" Came the proud, booming voice of Brutter. He, too made it to the deck, "YOU IS NOT TAKING THE PRINCE!"
"Oh, Brutter!" Jak shook his head.
"GIN! PUNCH IT!" Cortex quickly ordered. With that said, Gin immediately took over the pilot's seat and started to turn the ship the other way.
"YOU IS NOT LEAVING WITH THE PRINCE!" Brutter shouted, and then he charged towards Cortex who dodged out of the way.
"BRUTTER, STOP!" Jak ordered, but the angered Lurker continued to chase Cortex around.
"Note to self: Never piss off a Lurker." Daxter added.
"THEY'RE ESCAPING, STOP THEM!" Torn's voice could be heard. Indeed, aside from the Nicodemus II, the Dark Makers themselves seem to leave the palace, instead aiming for the Nicodemus II. The KG continued to shoot them however.
"They're trying to escape, get the cannon!" Torn ordered.
"ARE YOU MAD!" came a soldier from the receiving end of Torn's headphones, "THAT THING HASN'T BEEN TESTED YET!"
"JUST…GET IT!" Torn shouted.

Meanwhile, the Dark Makers kept their distance towards the Nicodemus II, rapidly shooting the airship down.

"CORTEX! DO SOMETHING!" Tawna shouted via sets of headphones.
"I'm TRYING!" Cortex cried back, frustrated and sarcastic. Jak, meanwhile eyed the Dark Makers and fend them off one by one (despite his lacking sword skills), eyeing them suspiciously before realizing it.
"They're after me." Jak gasped, "THEY'RE AFTER ME!"
"Who's after you?" Cortex screamed.
"THE DARK MAKERS! THEY'RE AFTER ME!" Jak screamed, "That's why they didn't harm me at the beach!"
"Beach? WHAT BEACH?" Cortex continued.
"Of course, they need me alive…I don't know, but they want me!" Jak gasped, "WE HAVE TO GET RID OF THEM!"
"What was your FIRST guess?" Cortex cried out, "Come on! Get inside the ship, we'll fend them off!"
"Err…I think we no have problem of THAT!" Brutter shouted, eyeing a giant cannon that came out of one section of the palace, assumingly built in a while back.
"What is that?" Coco shouted from inside the pilot's ship.
"The Force Cannon." Brutter gasped, "It recently made, use powerful eco energy to power it, unleashes GIANT force, enough to destroy us all, within 100 mile radius."
"Wait-WHAT?" Coco screamed.
"AHH! I DON'T WANNA DIE!" Daxter ran back and forth, "I STILL HAVEN'T EVEN USED THOSE PIZZA COUPONS!"
"But it's not even tested, will it work?" Jak asked. His question was answered when Torn shouted out "Fire" and a massive giant blue wave of energy came hurtling in their direction in lightning speed.
"Oh, I've wasted my life." Daxter squeaked.
"GET INSIDE! NOW!" Cortex ordered. Without any hesitations, they did so, although Jak to had drag Daxter who merely stood watching like he was in a scared trance.

Time seemed so slow between the cannon's aim and the impact. The people in the Nicodemus II felt a rush of white light sweep them by. As time gradually seem to return, the cannon's ammo hit the ship right on impact as well as destroy the remaining Dark Makers chasing after it with its after waves. The KG led off a resounding cheer over the massive dust cloud it gave, but their cheers soon turned sorrow when out from the dust cloud, the Nicodemus II flew out, still mostly intact. It was damaged greatly, but it still flew away, now too far for the KG's range. The cannon, too, had to take time to recharge.

"DAMN IT!" Torn shouted through the moans and groans of the KG soldiers. Veger, too had his fill of angst and anger while the Queen merely watched with a stern appearance.
"Your majesty, the Prince has been kidnapped!" Torn spoke through.
"I know." She replied in an eerily calm voice.
"What do we do?"
"…At the moment…nothing."

A pause.

"…Yes, ma'am."

Ashelin comforted the Queen, not knowing what she was truly feeling. Everyone surrounding her, Veger, Walter, Michel, Chiso, Samos, and Kiera, all watched over in great fear and confusion.

……………

"WHAT'S HAPPENING?" Cortex shouted.
"WE'RE GONNA CRASH!" Gin shrieked, "OUR ENGINES ARE HIT!"
"EVERYONE, GRAB ONTO SOMETHING!" Cortex ordered, then he muttered more quietly, "It's gonna be a bumpy ride!"
And with that, the Nicodemus II gave off a sounding harsh landing, punching past the trees. Birds flying and animals running as the airship skidded off until it came to a brilliant halt. A dark silence fell…
To Be Continued…

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Author's Notes:

Keeping this clear as I've failed to mentioned in previous chapters, if you wanna review my fanfic, PLEASE give constructive critisism, not mindless bashing or reasons with no back ups for it. If you guys really don't like my fic, then don't read it. It's as simple as that. I'm not forcing it on anyone.

...
NOTES:

1.) Just to let you know, N. Gin and N. Brio are not main characters either. Just strong secondary characters, like Tawna.

2.) On account of Chiso's accents and his origins and the culture of Precursia, more will be explored as chapters go by.

3.) The idea behind Veger being a sorceror came from a scene in Jak 3 when Veger seemingly had the power to wake up a large Precursor bot. Then I noticed Veger and saw this tall, thin-shaped man who wants to usurp for power, and BAM! Jafar from Aladdin hit me over the head. They have so much in common, so I decided not only is Veger a creepy councilman of great power, he is also a sorceror of great power. Of course, he still hates dark eco.

4.) Chiso will play a bigger role, a rare time I put a fancharacter in such a state (I tend to avoid fancharacters as main characters).

5.) The description of Michel and Jak meeting written during the library scene occurs in Chapter 6 (first meeting), 18 (more conflict), and 30 (when Michel fights) respectively in the Jak II Chronicles fanfic.

6.) I admit, the whole Jak not liking TV much is also a slight reflect of me. I don't watch TV much either. 200 channels and barely anything good on.

7.) Just to let you know, both Kiera and Pecker are scheduled to play larger roles later.

8.) Interesting to note is that Chiso uses an umbrella for his weapon. Aside from the fact that I think umbrellas make kick ass weapons, Chiso originally was supposed to fight with a cane. That was because Walter the butler was originally a main character (in fact, if you go look in my gallery, you can find an old pic of the main characters of the Jak and Crash cast) and he had the umbrella. I cut out Walter later since I found no purpose for him and recasted the umbrella weapon to Chiso because umbrellas are more awesome then canes.

9.) Another interesting note was Walter's role originally had him as the Time Guardian of Jak's world much like Tropy in Crash's. In fact, the two would have a sense of connection. I made the story that Tropy, when he was created, had different body organs from different corspes from all over the universe, one of which was the heart from Walter's deceased son. That was their main connection, but since Walter is relegated to secondary character, it is no longer in use. Maybe I might consider using something similiar to this sometime later. Oh, yea, Tropy himself was once a main character, too.

10.) Van (the fancharacter I made as Vin's extremly young son) was also originally a main character. In fact, he would have played a larger role in this chapter had I kept him, but I also found his purpose not suited for main character. He WILL play a different role, however, just not for a while.