Jak
and Crash
ACT 3:
The Quest
Chapter
18: The Race...or
Start Your Engines!
Lucius Palace
Month 3: Day 3
Year: 2 (AoTN)
Time: Morning
Nearly a week rejuvenating in Lucius Palace proved helpful to the heroes, especially Jak whom surrounded himself with his loved ones as well as eventually took on that promise of keeping little Aki company by ways of dress up and tea party--Daxter unfortunately dragged along, forced to wear a massive sea green bow around his neck while being poured imaginary tea.
"Tess will have a field day when she sees me in this stupid garment." Daxter complained.
During the course of the week, Jak took time to help Shuin's dilemma, the voice in his head.
"It started off faint at first, but increased over time." Shuin said.
"How long has this voice been in your head?" Jak asked.
"About a couple of years, I guess. I lost count. The voice doesn't come everyday, but every so often, seemingly, getting louder and more cryptic, but ultimately not telling me much."
"Well, what does he or she tell you?"
"...Tells me something about coming, that the voice is coming and that he needs me."
"Needs you? He?"
"He needs to borrow...something. He said to come to you."
Ultimately the two did not get too far in that development of progress. The messages were too cryptic for either of them to make out at the time, so Jak ruled it out as a waiting period, one that gave Shuin a sort of irritated face that he mostly did a remarkable job covering up quickly.
Aki's sister, the stoic Empress Aron proved much of a benefit to the crew, providing them whatever food, shelter, and advice they could possibly need or want. On the whole, she really served as the only person who could grasp Jak's struggle with royal life, if not harsh on her wording.
"You were in a lapse of weakness," She started, "Confused and unaware of what to do."
"But I thought if I left with Cortex and Coco and the others, surely I would have done something to help my grandmother."
"Did it work?"
Jak refused eye contact, so she repeated, "Did it work?"
"...No." He mumbled, slowly shaking his head, guilty eyeing his pendent, "Veger succeeded because I was so indecisive or naïve or just terrible at this royal business. I only really had a year of training--four if you count my younger years, but there was a large gap in between where I lived live as a common boy, where I had a much more carefree existence. Now I'm suddenly carrying Haven on my shoulders."
"Everybody starts somewhere in whatever jobs they do, the problem with our given position is that our choices affects every single people in the entirety of our kingdom and eventually, the world at whole. Mistakes are hardly recommended in royalty. We are mortals given the task of which the Precursors do everyday of their lives."
Jak cupped his pendent, "For the first time in my life, I don't know if I deserve this."
Aron gently placed her hand on the boy's shoulder, her tall height towering even Jak. As much comfort he received from that warm gesture, the way she placed it felt cold and distant. Even with the privacy of two royal bloods, Aron refused to remove the mask that graced her face, at one point even Aki claiming she has never seen her older sister without her intended disguise.
"It's like she's hiding something," Aki once confessed, "I wonder what it could be? A hideous scar? Disfigured face? Why won't she tell me?" The last sentence spoke with an obvious sign of sorrow.
"Have you found peace with your dark side yet, Jak?" She asked rather bluntly.
"I don't know. I guess I don't resent it as much, it saved me from Veger." Jak answered softly, despite the truth behind it.
"Give it time, I suppose."
By the third day of the third month, a butler casually strolled, carrying a platter of letters; mails given to the royals in person, which meant they were of grave importance. Most of them contained information and invitation to annual balls of Lucius, all for Aron, except one.
"I got a letter?" Jak gasped, "But how? Did someone find me?"
"They did not refer to you in your royal name and there is no return address." Aron said as she extended her hand with the light blue sealed envelope, the name "Jak" graced in beautiful handwriting. Smelling oddly like lavender, Jak reluctantly accepted it and raised an eyebrow. The only one besides Aron in the throne room was Daxter, Ani, Pecker, and Brutter.
"Ooh, lavender, Tess uses that smell a lot," Daxter grinned, "Mostly for romantic purposes if you--heh heh--get what I mean."
"If you're implying what I think you mean, that's impossible giving your species difference." Pecker stepped in.
"Hey, there's more to romance then THAT...sorta."
"Could it be, love letter?" Brutter stepped in, "Maybe it be from Coco, wanting to express love in private."
"B-Brutter." Jak chuckled nervously, "This is clearly not Coco's...I mean, I guess it's not. I mean, a love letter from her? She's still pretty uncomfortable around me."
"Around YOU, so maybe she sent a letter to do the job, ey?" Daxter elbowed Jak. He left off a playful scoff and proceeded to undo the letter cover, his fingers fidgeting. Jak let off a disappointed sigh when he read the first sentence of the letter which was upright too formal to be a love letter, but quickly placed a more serious demeanor when he read the entirety of it's content.
Dear Jak,
Or should I say
Prince Christof? Yes, I am fully aware of your heritage, oh great
heir to the Haven throne. Rest assure your secret is safe with me for
I vow to nary tell a soul unless I have your permission, written or
spoken. However, I am not here for idle talk for I have more grave
matters to discuss with you, namely the founding of my father's
will. You may know him; he went by the name of Krew. And I am his
daughter, Rayn. I
urge you an invite
to his reading in Riveta's capital: Kras City. It will be held in
the Keno Hotel.
Rayn
"...Krew." Jak whispered.
Yet another detour forced the heroes to hitch Nicodemus II to Kras City.
"You got to be kidding me." Coco uttered, "We got the whole saving the world business and you got to pay tribute to some dead guy whom you hated? What, do you owe him or something?"
"Well, I did kill him...of sorts." Jak shrugged, giving Coco raised eyebrows, "Not really, but really. I messed around with his giant weapon and--oh, it's not important. The point is, I feel like I have to go. I don't know, the letter has a fishy feel to it."
"Fishy? Sounds rather formal to me." Gin shrugged.
"It's apparently written by Krew's daughter," Jak stated, "I didn't even know he had a child. But if she is who she said she's from, I have reasons to suspect she might be up to something."
"Theoretically, shouldn't you avoid the one who'll cause trouble for ya?" Tawna stepped in, "Not that I would, I'd bust some heads."
"...She knows who I am, my identity, that could be blackmail for me if I'm not careful considering her heritage. I have to see who she is."
"But Kras City is in Riveta which is only South from Haven Kingdom." Kiera barged in, "I mean, I've always wanted to go there because the level of technology is enough to make me drool worthy and the racing is said to be the best, but it's so close to your kingdom, do you really want to risk it?"
"There is a possibility of Krimzon Soldiers or secret agents who will monitor movements of us. Veger knows what we look like." Cortex warned.
"Ashelin will think of someway to buy us some time, chances are she already knows we're going to Kras or will. I trust her." Jak confidentially answered.
"Either way, we have to anyways," Samos banged his staff lightly, "I sense it."
"Sense what?" Pecker ruffled his feathers.
"...A Sage."
---------------------------------
"We Sages can only sense the Sages we are associated with, in the case of I, Samos, can sense the next Sage of Wood and my sub element, Wind," Samos began, "I can sense others, but they're more faint then others, which is why it's recommended we wake the old Sages."
"Just how many New Sages are we looking for, old timer?" Daxter groaned.
"Well, I sense the power of the Wind. Most of us Sages each possessed two elements. I held Wind and the Wood, The Blue Sage held Water and Ice, Yellow held Earth and Thunder, Red held Fire and Love, Gol held Dark, One Sage held Metal and Time, and the seventh held Light," Samos spoke, "If this new Sage carries only Wind, then we'll have a grand total of about 12 Sages to look for, each containing one element."
"Wait, 12? TWELVE?" Daxter screeched, "What is this, a fetch quest? We're no one's delivery boys!"
"You're the Precursors' delivery boys and you will heed their words or so help me, I'll stick this staff right up your--"
"WE'RE HERE!" Jak shouted in haste, pointing to the Keno Hotel sign, "Come on, let's all relax, go in, see what we can do, and get out."
The room of the Keno Hotel they entered was plain and simple, some potted plants, a couple of painting, but no windows. In the heart of the room stood a long table holding at least a dozen row of empty cups. It carried a quaint air. Everyone but Gin, Brio, and Tawna attended, the former two again in airship duty while Tawna again played the role of babysitter, again to her disgruntled behavior. Chiso was kept under tight lock back in Lucius Palace.
"If only you two were more brave." She uttered.
"It's not so much cowardice as we like the idea of being safe." Gin coolly played.
Everybody sat themselves except Shuin who leaned against the wall and Brutter who stood upright as a statue, hovering over Jak.
"Do you have to do that?" Jak asked.
"She knows you is prince of Haven, I can be guardian to you again for this one brief period." Brutter enthusiastically smiled. Jak let off an exaggerated sigh.
"Hey, as long as we're staying here, do you think we can make some time and see a couple of the races here?" Kiera asked, "I wouldn't mind learning a great deal on some of the experts."
"Hey, you got Jak as the expert. Granted, he can never compare to me, but still." Daxter crossed his arms. Kiera eyed Jak who merely gave of a smile--a faint one and not his usual happy smirk. Daxter ignored their gestures and continued, "Hell, I'm even better then Erol!"
"Erol." Jak mumbled. What happen to him? Was he still safe? Obviously Kiera, too contemplated his current existence from the moment Daxter cried out his name, giving off a sorrow face that she quickly hid by playing with her hair. With Kiera in now in the same circle of emotions as Jak's, he almost placed a hand on her shoulder If not for Coco rudely clearing her throat.
In moments, a woman entered the hotel room. Dressed mostly in a variety of green with blue hair tied in a bun, she carried a thin metal object, holding it like a clipboard while her other hand possessed a bottle. Immediately she placed the item down and stared at the vast amounts of equal uncertain faces towards her. Her first words were formal.
"Thank you for coming to Kras City. It looks like some didn't make it, ah well... I'm Rayn."
"THAT'S RAYN?" Daxter whispered as loudly as he could to Ani and Pecker, "She's HOT!" Ani smacked the backside of his head once again.
"So you're the chick of the infamous Krew." Shuin grinned.
"Ahh, I wager you've heard of my father then." Rayn declared.
"Used to work for him as a part time Wastelander." Shuin quickly replied.
"Shuin, I didn't know you worked as a Wastelander." Jak gasped.
"It was a thankless job, didn't continue any further," Shuin ironically snapped in a stern manner, "Your father wasn't exactly the best employer I've ever held."
"Yes, he got a lot of those in his time," Rayn cleared her throat, "Any who, before father died, his wishes were simple, to have his will played for his closest associates and for us to drink to his passing." She pulled out the bottle and gingerly placed it on the table.
"This special vintage he kept for the very occasion." She poured her cup and passed the bottle. No one was quick to accept, "I understand you have such hostility towards my father, but I assure you, he has much respect to most of the people he's worked with, enemies or not, especially you, Jak."
"We never worked for him." Cortex sternly replied.
"How do you know I'm the prince of Haven?" Jak asked immediately after, almost in a confrontation voice that'll make Shuin spin in happiness.
"I have my connections." Rayn answered, "Please." She extended the bottle. Not even once taking her eyes of her, Jak took the bottle and poured his content. The rest followed, the only ones who refused the drink being Brutter and Pecker (they didn't seem to enjoy the smell), Ani (not much of a drinker), and Shuin (who continuously disapproved of this current scene--no matter how much Rayn gestured).
"To toast his death. Here's to old friends, and to father's untimely... death." Rayn raised her glass, the rest following before all of them guzzled it down.
"So, without further delay his message to us." Tapping a small button on the metal object, a small holographic image of Krew appeared before them, still cunning and titanic as ever.
"Hello, nearly friends and mostly enemies," Krew began, "If you're listening to this message then I must be dead, oh well... As you all know I loved racing, almost as much as I loved weapons. Alas I never fulfilled my living dream of winning the biggest race of all - the Kras City Grand Championship. But even in death, I will field the greatest racing team ever assembled and win the biggest race on the planet. You are the best and you will race for me!"
Immediately Jak, Daxter, Kiera, and Samos' answer were clearly negative as they threw an outburst. Ani and Brutter both let off a deep growl while Pecker tried to soothe the former. Only Cortex and Coco gave off quizzed looks while Shuin remained calm and seemingly uncaring. Surprisingly, the hologram Krew let off a hearty chuckle.
"I expect you're all riled up by now so let me tell you why you will race, and will win. If all went as planned, you just gave a touching toast in my honor. Sorry to say, but I put poison in that special vintage, quite unsporting of me really."
"WHAT!?" Coco cried out before anyone else could mutter in shock.
"Father!" Rayn gasped.
"This is where Rayn will probably get upset. Sorry dear." Krew gave off a small puppy dog look before continuing, "It's a slow acting poison, or you'd already be dead! You have just enough time to finish this year's racing season. If you race for me and win, my associates will provide each with an antidote to the poison. Simple, eh?"
The hologram suddenly disappeared just like that and with it, everyone's stunned appearance. Right on cue, an enraged Coco grabbed Rayn and violently shook her.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO US?" She screamed while Cortex pried her away from the just as confused woman.
"Please, I didn't know. I drank it too. Father never did play favorites." Rayn spoke bitterly.
"Yeah, well you're father's crazy!" Coco screeched.
"We're all crazy for coming here!" Kiera joined. A first given how distant the two girls were.
"I think she's telling the truth," Jak butted in, stepping between Rayn and the two angry girls, "Look at her, she's just as angry and shocked as the rest of us. I don't think this is her fault."
"Yeah, you're right...IT'S YOUR FAULT!" Coco nearly torn Jak's windpipe if not for the hologram to play again.
"Well, it's been one minute, so I figure by now you're all arguing about how to get out of this mess. My advice is, trust no one! Win the race and save yourselves!" He disappeared once again, leaving the party again stunned.
"See? This is why I didn't drink. I don't trust Krew, never have, never will--even in the thresholds of death." Shuin barged in.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SOMETHING, YOU IDIOT?" Coco blared.
"Hey, if you guys can't handle the consequences for your actions, that's not my problem," Shuin crossed his arms, "I'm only here because of the prince."
"The prince is JUST as poisoned!" Coco screeched.
"If I didn't have the confidence to believe he can't get out of this mess, then I wouldn't be so calm, now would I?" Shuin grinned. The swordsman esteem on Jak gave the young Precursian a much needed boost.
"Well, this is quote the predicament we're facing," Cortex mumbled, "Putting poison and telling them later, I must say, that is quite clever."
"Watch it, Cortex, your once evil side is leaking." Coco spoke through gritted teeth.
"Evil side?" Samos eyed Cortex who gave a sheepishly grin.
"Jak, next time you invite me to one of your little parties... DON'T!" Daxter stepped in.
"Come on, guys, we can do this. We can race and we can beat Krew at his own game." Jak soon turned back into his motivational speaking self, "As long as we stick together, there's nothing we can't accomplish."
"Don't patronize me with your corny speeches of teamwork! You're the reason we're slowly dying!" Coco pointed out.
"Hey, I didn't know he'd do this the time I joined him some two years back!" Jak countered, "I'm sorry I got you all into this mess. I should have thought harder, but I figured with him dead, he wouldn't have that much threat to rely on us--even for a man like him. All we have to do is win!"
"How can you be so sure we will win?" Coco groaned.
"Oooh, but Prince Jak is best racer ever, he even beat Erol!"
"Who the hell is this Erol everyone's talking about?" Coco stated, "His name's been mentioned around like plates at a buffet table, is he some sort of celebrity?"
"Yes, Erol is, on record, one of the leading and greatest racer of Haven's period. Even at the tender young age of 13, he managed to best adults twice his age and abilities, even going through many of the races blindfolded." Cortex stepped in, "Very few could ever catch up to him, he went by a variety of name: The Red Thunder, the King of Haven's Race, Topaz Eyes, etc." Everyone eyed him to which he gave off an annoyed sigh, "Oh, please, do you expect me to live in this planet for the past few months and not catch up on it's cultures and histories? What naïve fool do you take me for?"
"Cortex has a point. Jak beat¼Erol. He can beat anyone in the racetrack, I know he can." Kiera placed a caring hand on his shoulder, "I believe."
"Here, here!" Samos responded with a band on his staff. Ani, Brutter, and Daxter let off their own brand of cheers.
"¼Fine, then let's race. I'd like to see my 17th birthday in the future." Coco groaned.
"Wonderful, my father bought us the best mobile racing garage money can buy and each of you has a racing car waiting. We're in this together, so let's get to it." Rayn announced.
"Why is that every little bad luck that happens to me occurs because I hang around with YOU?" Coco pointed to Jak.
"Sweetie, I ask the very same question everyday of my life." Daxter said.
---------------------
"Welcome race fans to another turbo charged season of high stakes, high speed racing. As usual, yours truly, G.T. Blitz, will give you a pit row view of all the action as the best racers in the world swap paint in their quest to claim the Kras City Grand Championship Trophy. In the end, only one wheel jockey will claim the prize as the greatest racer in the land. And we'll be here to cover all the thrills, chills, and spills! The season's first race kicks off in a few minutes... so stay tuned, and keep those engines humming'!" The glitzy, shiny blond haired man with the equally shiny lavender suit, G.T. Blitz lighted up the arena, the portable camera eyeing his every movement as he dazzled his audience with his flamboyant style. If Michel ever needed a rival to fit his elegant prose, this man fit the dice hook, line, and sinker.
The next week spent the heroes barging through an endless arena of finely tuned tracks, each with their own twists, turns, and secrets. Coco and Cortex expected general harmless racing with possibly crashes akin to that of a NASCAR event. Much to their horror, weapons were used. Unlike Haven's range of flying Zoomers, Riveta's transportation primary composed of wheeled vehicles; ones Cortex and Coco were familiar with from their own jalopies back home. Kiera stated she at times preferred the wheeled way, stating the racing is far more challenging and dangerous--naturally Samos would step in, making excuses for her to work on the vehicles in order to get her out of racing.
Jak's team spent marginal amount training before their final races. Jak eagerly and obviously rode the best (Daxter and Ani both tagging along with him); barely anyone of his friends could keep up the first few days. It seemed whatever tracks he blazed through; he passed through it with flying colors, as if he was psychic. Cortex's car was specially designed by Kiera to be able to handle his short stature, but despite that and his old age, the man efficiently knew a thing or two about handling a racing vehicle, much to the surprise and thrill of Jak. Brutter joined in ever as the loyal assistance that he is to Jak while Coco, desperate to get the antidote took some time learning the ropes before ultimately succeeding. Eventually even Shuin compiled and hopped in, "If the prince dies, then how on Precursia will I ever get my visions told? How will I carry my bounty? I never missed a bounty." He slyly replied as his answer.
The poison was Black Shade, a deadly plant founded in the Spargus Desert. Naturally this made Daxter faint. He grew increasingly agitated as the days passed and more races were won or lost. They started off slow since half the team had to play catch up, barely on anyone's recognized meter. By the end of the second cup, the team gradually caught up and attention diverted to them.
"They're doing a remarkable job catching up." Rayn spoke through her cell phone, a Rivetian invention Havenians did not often rely on, "By the time of the final race is when I'll strike."
"That is good, Sage of Wind," The voice behind the phone spoke, "You do not suppose I can--how you say, barge in?"
"Barge in?"
"I have not raced in a long time."
"No, NO! You will not ruin this plan for me! I worked so hard for this!" Rayn stood up.
"Careful, young Rayn, do not let your anger and hatred for that blonde prince affect your judgment," The man replied, "If you do, then I will be force to come in and deliver my brand of justice."
"I'll be fine!" Rayn hissed. No sooner then later did Rayn hear the sounds of rustled boxes near the garage she was in. She lowered her cell phone down and observed her surroundings.
"Rayn? Wind Sage?"
"I'm fine, I thought I heard a noise, but it could have been a rat."
-----------------------
"This is exactly what Jak needed," Cortex said as the team celebrated another victory at the local bar, the Bloody Hook, "To have fun and relax. Yes, we are fighting for our lives, but look at his smile. It's the first since Haven's takeover."
"The boy enjoys a fine race, it's really the only time you'll ever see his competitive side." Samos said as he sat across from Cortex, drinking, watching the youths who had situation themselves at the bar table.
"I dare say even Coco was surprised at how furious Jak is on the track," Cortex continued, "I daresay it's a turn on for her, look at them. The two are actually striking up pleasant conversations." Indeed, Jak and Coco chatted as if they were old buddies, mostly on the race then anything else. Be it the adrenaline rush or the similarity of a competitive streak they shared, for once, Jak and Coco were in the same page.
About halfway through their third race cup, nearly to the fourth and finale (a weeks time had passed), the heroes waltzed their way to their given and paid hotel rooms where they would sleep for the day, tired from today's expectations of crashes and track burnings.
"I swear I got a rash from that seat." Daxter groaned.
"You sat on Jak's shoulder like you always do." Ani corrected.
"Fine, metal rash, whatever." Daxter groaned, hopping onto his bed so harshly it sank briefly before bouncing itself up. Either way, it was enough for a small squeak to be heard.
"What th--" Daxter retorted.
Lifting the bed covers, Jak fished out something furry. He pulled out a lock of blue hair and the wearer of said hair.
"Aki?" Jak gasped.
"OW, my hair!" She screeched. Jak immediately let her hair go, but grabbed her arm.
"What are you doing here?" He cried in a parental tone.
"I'm sorry, I snuck aboard with Chiso!"
"CHISO?" came the cries of others.
"Yeah, he's hiding in that closet." Aki pointed. Shuin, being the nearest opened it and fished out the trembling figure.
"I--I'm sorry! She made me go! I didn't want to!" Chiso rapidly spoke, clutching onto his umbrella like a makeshift security blanket.
"Aki?" Jak eyed the small Anthro.
"I stowaway in your airship the day you left for Riveta," Aki casually confessed, "Well, I wanted to play with you some more, plus all this quest for Sages and whatnot sounds like fun."
"You overheard us on that?" Cortex jumped. She merely nodded happily.
"Aki¼" Jak started before Aki placed a hand to his mouth.
"Don't bother! I may be 10 years old, but I'm very mature for my age."
"Yeah, right!" Daxter stepped up.
"Hey, you wanna say something else, you little--" Aki stood up, only for Jak to grab her by the arm gently, but with a strict tone, "Look, I can help! I'm good with my bow and arrow, I'm a topnotch sniper!"
"W-Why is Chiso here?" Jak pointed to the timid young man.
"I figured he should come, he's got powerful magic or at least he's going to get there," Aki answered, "Sometimes I go to the room he's locked in and talk with him. He feels REAAAAAAALLLLLLY guilty for what he did."
"How did you get in a locked room?" Kiera asked.
"Oh, Aki is sneaky like that--she did stowaway without us knowing after all." Jak sighed, rolling his eyes halfway.
"He's supposed to be locked up for his traitorous ways!" Shuin shoved Jak, "It is not my place to yell at a royal figure, but do you have ANY idea what you did? He could be spying on us now for all we know!"
"Ooh, should Brutter frisk him?" Brutter suggested to which Jak shook his head.
"Alright, alright¼here's what we're going to do," Jak raised both his hands, "Aki and Chiso will have to stay with us for the time since we're on our own set of deadline. Brutter, you will watch over both of them. I won't worry on Chiso disappearing, but Aki--she's a tricky one."
"Yes, sir!" Brutter saluted.
"Awww, I wanna come and race, too!" Aki crossed her arms.
"No, this racing is dangerous, you're not experience enough to even set foot on the track," Jak bluntly replied, "I just want to protect you. Your sister would be sadden if you ended up as road kill."
"Can't I at least see you race?" Aki cried out, "If you keep me cooped up here, then I might not share with you my secret!"
"We don't care about your secret!" Coco impatiently squawked, "Jak, just lock up this kid and get some sleep!"
"It's not a personal secret, stupid! It's an awesome secret about that Rayn lady!" Aki gasped.
"Rayn? What about Rayn?" Jak asked.
"I'm not telling you, not unless I get to see you race." She had her arms crossed still.
"Why you little sack of--" Coco waltzed over to her.
"Don't hurt her, she's just a little girl!" Chiso screamed.
"SHUT UP, TRAITOR!" Shuin pointed his finger to him, immediately causing the dark haired teen to whimper.
"Coco, back off. Aki, fine, if you tell me what Rayn's secret is, I'll let you see the race." Jak placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "And that's a promise."
Aki's response was a giddy smile before she ultimately spilled the beans...
To Be Continued...
Author's Note: Okay, this update was even longer then usual, but I think it's plain obvious as hell that my interest in this fanfic has waned so very much. I no longer want to do this, but I want to continue if not because I want a sense of accomplishment, but I'm clearly busy with other things. So for all intents and purposes, this will currently be the last chapter as this fanfic is on hiatus. I'm not so sure if I'll ever come back to it, but I give thanks to the people (however little) who read this thing. Sorry, but this is something I have to do.
Any who, this is obvious a Jak X adaptation, a small one, would have only lasted two chapters, counting this one.
