Chapter Fourteen:

The Circle Closes, Part I

Two voices called to him as he walked the streets. The first was by far the most annoying, for it was louder than the second, making it harder to hear. Reaching for his communicator, Jak listened to Torn's irate voice, demanding for him to return to base to explain everything that has happened since Erin's disappearance. Jak knew he didn't have the time to explain the situation fully, so he turned off the communicator, cutting short Torn's angry rant. Listening harder, Jak could hear the familiar voice of the Oracle calling to him, demanding him to answer. Jak knew that time was very short.

His quick pace became a sprint as Jak reached a clear street. Every second lost was an opportunity for too much time to pass, passing the threshold where saving the world would be impossible. He had all ready wasted too much time in his selfish pursuits, now he must devote himself to the most prominent of worries.

Running past the many empty buildings and stationary zoomers, Jak weaved his way to the Palace, trying to avoid the larger streets. Then again, most of the people were locked in their houses, fearful of the large group of Krimson Guard that has moved through the city.

Rounding a corner, Jak was surprised to find that the streets weren't as deserted as he had previously thought. A massive crowd had gathered outside the Palace gates. A buzzing sound of hostile people hit Jak like a slap to the face. Apparently the people weren't going to stand for a martial government again, and they demanded answers like they should have when Praxis usurped the throne. Jak stopped at the edge of the crowd, wondering how he would get in without being seen, or inciting a riot.

Slowly, Jak started to move himself to the front of the crowd. It was a lot of work to force his way to the front of the tightly packed people as they spoke their outrage at the movement of the Krimson Guard. Jak had to admit that he was glad that the people spoke up for themselves, but they did it at the most inopportune time for him. If he tried to get into the Palace, people might follow him and start tearing the place down. Jak was in enough trouble with the Krimson Guard all ready.

After a long struggle, Jak had pushed his way to the front. The Krimson Guards on duty where holding the people back at the bottom of the stairs. Approaching cautiously, Jak waited to see what would unfold, and hoping that it wouldn't take too long for him to find some way into the Palace.

A yell overpowered the noise of the crowd, and Jak looked to the Palace gate to find none other than Baroness Ashelin. Most of her color had returned, and it would seem that so had her strength. Walking confidently forward, she approached the angered and fearful crowd. The people grew silent at her vicinity. Standing halfway up the stairs, Ashelin spoke loud and clear to her people.

"People of Haven City, I have just been assured of the great victory the Krimson Guard has fought for."

Many voices spoke in low whispers, trying to capture her meaning.

"Today, the crime syndicate, which has plagued our great city for generations, has been expunged. No longer shall there be fear within these walls. No longer shall there be parts of the city that we should fear to tread. Today, Haven City is free of the last remnant of the fear that has held this city since the appearance of the Metal Heads, a hundred generations ago!"

At Ashelin's joyous and confident words, the people's fear and uncertainty turned into blissful cheers and applause. The change came so rapidly that Jak was sure that Ashelin had finally, completely and fully, gained the trust of the people. A great weight seemed to be lifted off the crowd as their boisterous calls gathered more people into their celebrating. Fearful people poked their heads out of windows, trying to decipher what was happening.

Jak was glad that everything had worked out much better than he had thought it would. Slipping out of the crowd, Jak moved up the stairs to where Ashelin was retreating back into the Palace, the people, now too busy expressing their enthusiasm for the turn of events, didn't notice his movement.

Jak was sure that some of the Krimson Guards seen him, but it didn't matter. They probably weren't on the lookout for him yet. Torn may still be yelling over the comm., trying to get Jak to come to HQ and explain everything. Jak would comply, but he didn't have the time now. He would explain what happened and why he had to leave so suddenly later, after the world was safe.

Reaching the inside of the Palace, Jak looked up to see none other than Sig in the hall, waiting for him. Jak was shocked to see that he was wearing a Krimson Guard uniform, if he had the time, he may have asked about how he managed it. "What are you up to now, chili pepper?

Sighing, Jak took a deep breath. "I don't have time to explain."

"You better find time;" Sig spoke clearly, "Or Torn may get angrier than he already is. He could take your rank away, you know?"

"Do you think I care about my rank right now?! I have to get back to the core and turn on the planetary defense system before the Dark Makers blow up the entire planet!" Jak yelled with such intensity, the massive Sig took a step back.

"Hey, sorry kid…" Sig started.

Jak turned and continued on his way. Sig didn't even try to stop him, perhaps not wanting to cause another outburst out of him. Moving, Jak told himself he would apologize later. Like he kept telling himself, he would have time to explain later, hopefully.

He broke into a run again, trying to make up for all his lost time. Sprinting down the halls, Jak made quick time to the secret entrance to the catacombs. Climbing down the many stairs, Jak nearly tumbled down a couple of times. Reaching the safety of the solid Precursor metal, Jak ran for the one transport near the entrance to the dangerously traversable tunnels of the catacombs.

Jak climbed into the seat of the zoomer-like transport. The Precursors must have sent it back to the top of the tunnels, as if they expected Jak's return. After taking the time to secure the safety belt, Jak blasted off for the tunnels. The many flashing lights blurred at the speed he was going. Time seemed to drag as he sped on. The Precursor entity at the core had demanded that he turn on the defense system, Jak had ignored the warning. Was he already too late?

Subconsciously, Jak pressed the little zoomer to go faster.

Jak knew that if he had the chance to make the decision over again, he would choose the same path. If only it hadn't been for nothing, he wished that he had Erin with him right now, safe and unharmed. What had Cass done to her for all the time that he had her in his grasp? If he had just taken the time to turn on the defense system before he left, though, he wouldn't be in the predicament. The world would be safe.

The zoomer shot out of the final tunnel and, once again, was captured by the unseen force that made it levitate to the platform below. Jak waited impatiently for the zoomer to make it to solid ground. Glancing down, willing the tractor beam to move him faster, Jak saw a most peculiar sight. If he had seen just one orange ball of fur he would have thought that Daxter had found his way here, but what threw him off was that there were three.

Again, the zoomer landed at the edge of the platform, making a clatter that brought the ottsels' attentions. Finally noticing Jak and the zoomer, the three little balls of fur took off for a door that had somehow appeared on the side of the obstruction.

"Wait!" Jak called to them, so many thoughts running through his head at once as he raced towards them on foot. It took little time to reach them, but the first two disappeared through the door, which closed, effectively cutting off the third one's escape. He ran head first into the metal wall.

Jak reached the downed ottsel just as he got back to his feet. Jak wasn't surprised he ran into the wall, he had a helmet that looked like a hollowed-out Precursor Orb pulled down past his eyes. Hearing Jak's approach, he started banging on the metal where the door had been.

"Let me in guys!"

"Ignore them," the voice of the Precursor Oracle sounded through the core, "We are… unhappy with your performance, if you were a true hero you would have stopped Cass by now!"

Jak may have believed the voice, if it didn't sound so desperate. The voice was purposefully trying to divert attention from the lone ottsel trying to find a way from Jak. Jak looked closer at the small orange creature. The helmet on his head drew his attention, and with a snap, a thought formed in his head.

"Are you the Precursors?" Even as he said it, Jak felt like it was an absurd question, but why else would they be here?

"We… we are… uh" The voice of the Oracle, which seemed to have all the answers before, stammered for the first time, "oh bother."

"Come on, Dude, we don't have time for this!" The Oracle spoke again, but it almost seemed like a different person.

"Hey, let go of that!" Jak was astonished to hear curses and yells from the Oracle, as if it was fighting with itself. Suddenly the door reappeared, and the two ottsels that had managed to escape materialized, rolling and struggling on the ground. They seemed to be fighting over a Precursor scepter.

The taller, skinnier one managed to wring the metal object out of the other's hands. He gloated about it; while the short, fat one climbed back to his feet and dusted off his robes. Jak, who could do nothing but watch in fascination as the fight occurred, moved closer.

"Who are you?" He asked.

The shorter ottsel, who had lost the scepter in the fight, held up his hand. The metal object glowed then pulled itself out of the taller ottsel's hand and into his. "We are the Precursors," he answered, now that the scepter had been returned to his hands.

Jak let the information that he had guessed, but not sure that he could believe it. The immense shock must have been evident on his face, for one of them commented on it.

"Don't look so upset. If you knew we Precursors were a bunch of little fuzzy rats, would you worship us? Could we run the universe?"

Jak didn't have an answer, so said nothing in response.

"You have returned, we thought you had abandoned the entire planet to destruction," the ottsel, or Precursor, that seemed to be the leader spoke to Jak more seriously. "We have turned on the planetary defense system, but there is still much that needs to be done."

Focusing on what needed to be done, Jak pushed aside his doubts and questions that had surfaced about the most powerful beings in the universe. 'There is still much that needs to be done', in the words of the Precursors. "What do you need me to do?" Jak asked the question that perhaps he should have the first time he had stepped into the core.

"The only way to ensure that Cass will not awaken the ship's cargo is to go there your self and stop him. We will send you there from here."

"But the weapon..."

"Chill out, buddy! You should have mondo minutes to go there and get back here pronto. Way before..."

Jak didn't need the ottsel to finish the sentence to get what happen if too much time passed. With a flick of his wrist, the leader ottsel opened the portal near Jak, which would send him into the range of the weapon. Time was even more precious than it had been before, but Jak couldn't go without asking one thing of the most powerful creatures in the universe.

"Do you know where he has taken Erin?"

The leader looked surprised by Jak's question, but granted him his wish. With another wave of the Precursor scepter, a scene opened up before him. It was similar to a portal, but the only thing he could do was watch the scene that played out before him.

The first and only thing him mind could grasp was Erin. She was in the window-like portal, but it was so real she could have been standing right in front of him. His hand seemed to move of its own accord as it reached up and gently touched her image. She looked pale, but she was alive. A painful wave of relief flowed through Jak just to see her alive, and remorse, because she could be anywhere…

Suddenly the image of Erin turned, as if she could see Jak. His heart lurched, but Erin seemed to be looking right through him. A hateful glare marred her beautiful face as she looked at something unknown.

"Are you ready to play nicely?" An all too familiar voice spoke mockingly from the shadows. Jak's heart filled with hatred at the sound.

The scene shifted, and Jak was able to see what Erin had been looking at, or who. The image of Cass appeared not far from Erin, looking as if he owned the world. His appearance had altered further, but it was obviously him. His red hair was loosing its color; some of it had dulled to an orange-yellow, while his skin had paled considerably. Jak's hands clenched, as if the Cass before him was flesh and blood and able to be punched.

"I'll never help you!" Erin's image answered Cass's cocky question.

"No," Cass commented, as if it was a minor setback, "not willingly. Unless of course I could force you into your darker self, then I think you would be all too happy to bring destruction to this world."

A rage unlike anything Jak had ever known took over him. Cass was planning to force Erin to do his bidding, to bring death and destruction to the world and people she loved. Jak couldn't imagine the pain Erin would feel… To be able to see your actions, but have no control over them, just like when they were first trying to master their darker sides, it would be a fate worse than death. To lose the will to control her actions, Erin could do unspeakable damage, and never be able to forgive herself for it…

"It just so happens that I've been working on a way to force you into your dark form, permanently," Cass's statement cut through Jak's racing mind. "Soon you will no longer be able to withhold the great power within yourself. Now, if you'll just follow me…"

Erin backed up hurriedly as Cass approached her. "Never!" The desperate fear in her eyes forced Jak into action; for she knew all too well what would happen if she was forced into her dark form with no control over her own actions.

Jak moved from the window in front of him to the portal. Erin was in trouble, and if he didn't hurry, Cass would change her so that nothing would remain of the woman he loved. He had to hurry, for Cass had her on the Dark Maker ship, and the countdown had already begun for its destruction. The deep anger still enveloped him as he jumped through the portal. Consciously he was aware that the Precursor leader had shouted something at him, but he couldn't quite understand it…

He would deal with that later, after he had saved Erin, and hopefully, the world.

The instantaneous transport of his body left him slightly dizzy as he looked over the scene before him. It was the exact scene the Precursors had shown him, except the Cass before him was now flesh and blood this time. Moving forward swiftly, Jak hoped to catch him off guard, but no such luck. Just as with his dark form, Cass also had enhanced reflexes. With deadly speed, he closed the distance between him and Erin, his muscular arm around her throat. She struggled, but Cass was much stronger.

"You fool!" Cass yelled at Jak, jolting Erin as he did so. She gasped in pain. "I told you that I'd kill her if you tried to stop me!"

Jak rushed at them, before Cass could go through with his threat, but before he could get too close Cass summoned his dark minions again. Jak was really getting sick of him hiding behind his shields. Turning into his dark form, Jak shattered their shields and attacked their dark forms, but with every one he managed to kill, two more would spring up in their place.

Cass laughed madly; he had pulled Erin away from the battle to the edge of the very large chamber. With a flip of a switch, he sneered in victory. "Jak, watch out!" Erin called from Cass's grasp.

Jak turned just in time to stop an attack from a Dark Maker that had managed to sneak up on him. Jak just about returned an attack when the entire floor jolted dangerously. It was all Jak could do to keep his balance. Regaining his feet, Jak realized that Cass had flipped the switch that opened the large launching bay. The large crack in the metal appeared near him, opening farther with each passing second. Cass was trying to launch the dormant machines made by the Dark Makers, and in doing so send Jak falling to his untimely death.

Jak would be damned if that was the way he was leaving this world.

Regaining his footing, Jak attacked the Dark Makers that approached him, trying to keep him near the launching bay doors. Swinging furious attacks, Jak managed to get many of them to fall into the crevice in which they were trying to herd him towards. The harsh wind entered the launching bay as the doors opened wider, threatening to send him over the edge with the Dark Makers.

Barely managing to keep his footing, Jak fought his way to the safety ramp near the edge of the hanger bay doors. Climbing on to the safety of solid ground, Jak had a better chance of fighting without being thrown overboard. The Dark Makers kept coming, appearing out of thin air before him as he now fought his way towards Cass and Erin. Cass didn't move he just watched Jak as he fought wave after wave of his minions, slowly making his way to the control booth that he resided in.

Jak was only twenty feet from Cass when he stopped sending his Dark Maker minions after him.

"Don't come any closer, or by the Precursors, I swear that I'll kill her!"As if to be sure Jak could understand him over the howling wind, he jerked his arm back on Erin's throat again.

Jak didn't take another step.

A vicious smile covered Cass's face. He had the upper hand, yet again. Still laughing, he pulled the rifle from his back, aiming it for Jak. "Let's see if your lover bleeds," he spoke into Erin's ear.

Jak flashed into his light form, bringing up the shield that would block the shot aimed for him, but it missed, by a large distance. Erin had managed to knock Cass's weapon out of his hand, sending it over the edge, where it would fall for miles before it stopped the long trip to the ground below. In a maddened rage, Cass struck Erin, sending her sprawling back, where she hit the railing to the control booth and tumbled over with nothing but miles of atmosphere to catch her…

The howling wind swallowed her screams.

Time seemed to pass in slow motion as Erin fell, but Jak was powerless to try and stop gravity's pull. Rushing forward, but knowing he couldn't reach her in time, Jak turned his attention to Cass. He managed to flip some unknown switch before Jak managed to get to him. He would kill the bastard right then and there. Gripping Cass by the front of the jacket, he slammed him into the control panel repeatedly.

Cass only laughed, knowing that he had won.

Subconsciously, Jak turned into his dark self and chucked Cass over the edge, but he threw him too far, for he managed to clutch on to the edge of the bay doors.

Climbing to his feet, Cass turned to Jak, hollering over the insistent wind. "I've won, Jak!" Lifting his arms up, Jak followed with his eyes. Above him, the smaller ships the Dark Makers had made moved into position over the hanger doors, ready to be unleashed onto the world below. Cass's triumphant laugh echoed in Jak's ears…

A blinding light that was much stronger than any flash of lightning cut across the sky, followed by a terrible tremor that rocked the large Dark Maker ship to its very core. The power of the Precursors tore through the ship, starting to tear it apart instantly. Cass's laugh stopped, and was replaced by a disbelieving snarl.

"NO!"

Cass had realized that he hadn't won yet. Turning, Cass ran for the large teleporting machine, which would take him to safety. Jak dove off of the control booth and into the darkening sky below. The winds seemed to howl in protest at his presence. Turning into his light form, Jak used his wings to accelerate his descent, hoping against hope that he could reach Erin before she reached the ground.

If too much time hadn't passed all ready.

The sky was getting dark, and there were too many clouds to make out any shape below him. Scanning desperately, Jak looked for any form in the clouds. Erin didn't have the power to fly, for she hadn't been able to go to the Precursor temple since the day she had been captured. Jak was her only hope now, and he couldn't let her down, he wouldn't!

Any yells he would try to make wouldn't reach very far, so he had to rely on his eyes alone. The darkness didn't help the situation, and neither did the many gathering clouds. His visibility was severely limited, and with each passing second Erin could reach the ground.

Bursting through the cloud cover at top speed, Jak could see the ground below him. The wind whipping in his unprotected eyes caused them to water, or maybe it was cold fear for Erin. He had already caused her so much trouble, and now she might be…

Refusing to admit failure, because he couldn't live with himself if she wasn't there to live by his side, Jak continued to scour the sky around him, looking for any hint of Erin's whereabouts. Catching a glance of dark far below him, Jak forced his wings to beat faster, praying to the Precursors that it wasn't just a bird. Urging him wings to go faster; Jak watched the object below him grow until he was certain it was her.

Jak wished that he could yell to her, tell her that she'd be alright, but he wouldn't be able to even hear himself over the speed of the air whipping past him. With newfound strength, Jak's light wings desperately trying to reach her before the ground reached up to meet her. The vast ocean lie below him, but even if she hit the water she would be traveling so fast that she might as well land on a mountain range.

His heart beat uncontrollably as both of them raced to certain death. It didn't seem like Jak had enough time to reach her. He started to smell the salt water and really started to panic, but Erin was so close now, but so was the water. Jak clutched her to him, and she held on desperately. Using what little light eco he had left, Jak placed a light shield around both of them, while his wings spread out wide to slow their decent.

They hit the water still going very fast, the shield nearly broke under the impact of it. Bouncing off the surface, they slowed down considerably as they reached the shore. Jak had placed himself under her, so he hit the ground, while Erin was safely clutched to his chest. The shield dropped as Jak ran out of eco to fuel his light form.

The shield dispersed with little white sparks that rained down on them.

Neither of them held any breath in their lungs. The descent and the impact robbed them of the sweet oxygen they needed. Not being able to speak a word, they held on tightly to each other, as if trying to be certain they had finally been reunited.

Jak held on to his love as the dry sobs rocked her body. He couldn't imagine what it would have been like falling, waiting with no way to stop the inevitable death that rushed up to greet her. He held her tighter, not wanting to think about if he hadn't reached her in time. She held on to him just as tightly as he held her, her sobs came without bidding, and she didn't have the strength to put forth any effort to halt them.

When some oxygen returned to hid lungs, Jak turned Erin's head until she faced him. Her eyes were red and wet, and his heart broke to see her like that. "Are you alright?" He demanded gently. She just nodded as another tear streamed down her face. "Cass didn't hurt you… he didn't touch you, did he?" Jak asked, fearing to hear the answer.

Another sob rocked her small frame, but she managed to shake her head in a silent 'no.' Jak's mind and heart flooded with relief as he pulled her close again, silently sending a message of his apology. Erin buried her face into his chest, feeling safe for the first time in a long while. Jak could feel her body heat seep into him, just as his warmed her. He would give anything to be sure the battle with the Dark Makers was over, that they had no terrible battle before them.

Finally, Erin's sobs slowed, her terror eased by Jak's warm, strong arms. "I love you so much," Jak spoke into her beautiful red and brown hair. He kissed the top of her head. "I'll never let you go again."

Erin looked up into his eyes, her face still wet from tears. "I'll never go anywhere."

Jak kissed her then, for the first time in what seemed like a lifetime. He made sure to make the kiss brief, though, for he had something for her. Pulling the small box from his pocket, one he had been carrying around ever since she returned from the dead to him. He had waited for the perfect moment to present it to her, but now that they were reunited it was the only time Jak thought would matter.

"Will you marry me, Erin?" He asked his voice barely above a whisper.

Her beautiful brown eyes locked with his blue ones, not sure if she was certain of what she heard. Opening the box, Jak presented her with the ring he had waited far too long to give to her. Looking at the ring, her face ran with fresh tears. "Yes," she gasped.

She threw her arms around his neck and met his lips for a deep kiss. Sitting on the Wasteland beach they kissed as if it was a honeymoon suit. A deep passion ignited in Jak's stomach. Groaning, he shifted, pushing Erin into the damp sand and kissing her thoroughly. He wanted desperately to make love to her, on the beach, with the irritating sand and all, but it was an unrealistic desire...

Finally breaking the kiss, Jak removed the ring from the box and slid it on her finger.

A sound broke through their beautiful moment. Shifting his weight, Jak looked to the sky and watched as a lone Dark Maker attack ship landed far out into the ocean. Cass had managed to save one, and an ocean wouldn't stop him.

Pulling him and Erin to their feet, Jak pulled out his communicator. After a brief conversation with his father, Jak put it away. Damas was sending a buggy to pick them up. Pulling Erin back into his arms, they both looked out over the ocean to where Cass and his Dark Maker ship had disappeared. The sunset couldn't hide the battle that was to come.

They still had work to do, and hopefully when it was over, there would be a lifetime for them to spend together.

Author's Notes: YAY! Another chapter up for your reading pleasure! Hopefully it's not too pieced together, for I worked on it any time I could, but it wasn't much. Mostly little parts at a time… The final battle is next, the last chapter is next! Ah… didn't really think I'd ever get this far! I almost don't want it to end!