"Wake up." Jak felt his heart race under the tone of the familiar famine voice. His eyes shot open, seeing a female Krimzon Guard standing over him. Her red armor reflecting the rising sun, they must have slept through the rest of the day and night. "No loitering. Wake up your friends and find an inn if you're so tired." She said before walking away. The green-blond could hear her mumbling under her breath about how dirty the streets were in the bazaar. There was no mistake, it was the prison guard.
But what was she doing out on the streets? Were the Baron's forces really stretched that thin?
Jak shook his head and then looked at his lap were Daxter was curled up in and Naruto's head was resting. It felt like a weight had been removed from his shoulders seeing him…but he had no clue why. Then again, he couldn't remember how they got here or what happened. There were in the Forest and three Metal Heads had surrounded something and then…nothing.
He let out a sigh and then woke up Daxter and Naruto. They both let out loud yawns before standing or climbing up on a shoulder. Jak rubbed his eyes then looked at Naruto. "Do you know how we got here?" The blond paused from his stretch and his eyebrows furrowed in thought.
"No…all I remember is sweeping the Forest and then waking up here."
"Who cares?" Daxter said in the middle of a yawn. "We finished the mission and now we're here." In all honesty the ottsel just wanted to go back to sleep. Naruto smiled at Daxter then looked at Jak.
"There's no use worrying over it. Besides, Onin's tent is close by; we should stop by and see her." He said already walking in the direction of the tent. It was shocking to see the Shadow also seemed to be visiting Onin. Samos perked up as they entered, Pecker perched in his hair.
"The birdbrain and I were just talking about you Jak. Onin is very proud of what you did." Samos said. Jak looked confused, sharing the same look with his two friends.
"What I did?" Pecker flew off of Samos' hair and rested in Onin's dish like hat.
"What you did…what you'll do…it's all the same." The moncaw said.
"Will you stop with the déjá-voodoo stuff! It's creepy!" Daxter yelled, his fur standing up unwillingly to prove his point. Samos shook his head and continued.
"Onin says you must find the Tomb of Mar." Onin started to make signs in the air, the blue powder following her movements.
"Even now," Pecker interpreted. "Baron Praxis seeks the tomb, but only…arrk! The one true heir of Mar can open the tomb's seal."
"We believe the kid is the key." Samos said. Naruto frown at that. The kid was only five years old, certainly too young for any dangerous challenges and to rule a city.
"The prophecies say that the true heir of Mar must face the ancient Oracle. He alone must circumvent the cunning test of manhood. He alone must wield the Precursor Stone, thereby unleashing the…Geez Louise, fossil lady! Stop with the snooty mythic talk, already!" Pecker yelled, hanging over the dish to get in Onin's face, who looked irritated at her interpreter's behavior. "You know that it hurts my lips!"
"You've got to be kidding me!" Naruto yelled, gaining everyone's attention. "The kid is only five years old and you want him to past tests of manhood? Are you trying to kill him? And for what? Something in a dead guy's tomb? Why is it so important anyway that you guys are willing to throw a child into it?"
"The fabled Precursor Stone is rumored to sleep within the Tomb, stupid!" Pecker interpreted for Onin, sitting back up with a glare at Naruto. The fox teen matched it with a glare of his own, feeling the start of a growl form in his throat. "I added the 'stupid' part! The Precursor Stone contains vast Eco energies. I can be used for great good…or…great eeevil!" Pecker continued as Daxter mocked him and stuck out his tongue. The moncaw brushed it off and smiled. "I just love saying that last part!" Samos shook his head and looked at the trio before him.
"The Baron wants the Precursor Stone for himself to rule the world. But he is playing with forces he does not understand." Naruto could careless about this piece of rock, what he did care about was that there was innocent boy they were using to get the stupid rock. Jak let out a sigh and it looked like Daxter had fallen asleep on his friend's shoulder.
"Okay, Pecker. So how do we get this…Precursor Stone?" Before Pecker could answer Samos did.
"First, you must go to the Dig and find the Lurker Totem. Onin and I have learned that a piece to the Seal of Mar is contained within its ancient carvings. You must find all three pieces of the Seal to open Mar's gate in the canyon." Samos said. Naruto turned and left, kicking the dirt violently as he went. Jak followed after him, Daxter being awaked from his slumber by the jerking shoulder.
"Samos is a heartless bastard!" Naruto growled, not caring if Jak was following or who heard. "Wanting to send the boy into a tomb that's possibly packed with monsters and traps for some damned rock. The Baron can't get to it without the kid so why risk his life to get it for the Underground if that's the case!" The fox teen was seething and rightfully so. He turned to look at Jak and Daxter, who both looked concern at his outburst. The blond sighed as Jak placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I know it isn't right, but there isn't much we can do. We'll go to the Dig and you can stay here if you want."
"Why don't you go back to the Underground and check on the kid?" Daxter offered, seeing as it was the boy this whole thing was revolving around. Naruto smiled at the ottsel.
"I will. You two be safe out at the Dig." It was Jak turn to grin but when he went to talk Daxter cut in like he always seemed to do.
"Don't worry about Jak here; he's got Orange Lighting, the hero, watching his back!"
Jak smiled as the approached the Totem. He looked up to see the golden circle piece of the seal at the top. The green-blond didn't even need to ask for Daxter to get it.
"I'm on it!" The ottsel froze in mid-step and looked at Jak. "Wait a minute. I think this time you should go get the thing!" Daxter grinned as Jak took one look at the Totem then started to climb. "Looks dodgy up there! Don't hurt yourself Jak!" He chuckled as his friend started to pull the piece free and once pulled off the wooden fish at the top broke free as well, falling down towards Daxter. Jak flinched and then jumped down. The once hero chuckled as he stared to walk, the fish walking beside him.
"It's a curse, isn't it?" Daxter asked from within the fish. Jak lifted the wooden carving off his friend and then gave him a sheepish look. Daxter narrowed his eyes in glare before he found himself being lifted and placed on Jak's shoulder.
The kid was nowhere to be found so Naruto found himself in the Underground Vehicle Garage with Quix. Torn had left just a few moments ago and now it was only them in the room. Naruto sighed and watched the woman go from one Zoomer to the next. She was listing off things that need to be done; replace some Power Cells, clean out the exhaust, repair the Eco Coils, tighten a few nuts and bolts, bend that wing back into place.
The blond was resting in Quix's orange Hellcat as he watched this, not noticing when the door opened and Peter walked in. "Dinner. One hour." His deep voice nearly made Naruto jump out of his skin but he gave a grateful nod.
"Thanks Pete!" Quix yelled from under a strange aircraft. The large elf nodded and then left to finish cooking. Naruto titled his head and saw a flash of skin from under the aircraft.
"So what is that?"
"This airship? It's something I've been working on for a while. I call her the Interceptor. She's nice huh? Looks fast just standing still!" Quix said joyously while sliding out. She rubbed her oily hands on her pants. "She's built for speed and power." The silver-blond grinned as she walked over to Naruto and sat down next to him on the Hellcat.
"How'd you get into the Underground?" Naruto asked, wondering how a small girl like her got tangled into the fight against the Baron. Quix sighed and looked over at the doors.
"Me and my big sister were about to be evicted from our home and the only way we could keep it was if one of us entered the guard. She joined and I was left alone. I hadn't heard from her in a long time so I think she died while working for the Baron…so I joined the Underground to avenge her." Quix said fiddling with her hands as she spoke. "We all have a reason to be here. For me it's for my sister, for Peter it's for his little girl…we're all here for someone."
Naruto now started to wonder why others had joined the Underground; Torn, Ashelin, Jak, Daxter, Vin, Jewell, Crow, Rucah, Samos, Kor. What were their reasons for joining? Both blonds were pulled out of their thoughts as a voice spoke over the speakers around the base.
"All upgraded Hellcat cruisers have been taken out." Quix grinned and pushed Naruto playfully.
"Seems like we'll be able to advance our lines now. Tell your boyfriend when he comes in I said awesome job!" Naruto blushed and his sapphire eyes went wide.
"Jak's not my boyfriend!" This only earned a round of laughter from Quix.
That night Jak and Daxter joined Naruto and Quix for a dinner of vegetables and fish. All through out dinner Daxter told the story of how he and Jak fought their way through hordes of Metal Heads and a giant lava shark tried to eat him at the Dig. Naruto was able to tell which parts were true by how Jak would shake his head or roll his eyes. Quix, on the other hand, sought out to embarrass Naruto as much as possible. Luckily, the hyped up Underground member wasn't there when they woke up since Naruto had been forced to share a bed with Jak since all the others were taken.
They left early and headed out to the Stadium, seeing as it was the Class 3 races. Naruto smiled as they enter the mechanic's garage. "Hey we heard today was the-" Naruto was cut off by the woman snapping at him.
"Great…you guys again. Can't you scram? I'm on a deadline!" She said from behind the curtain.
"Are you always this difficult? All he did was ask a question." Jak said. Daxter sighed; Jak had no idea how to handle women.
"Let me handle this, Jak." He said walking up to the curtain. "Listen lady, we beat your stupid course, and we can outrace anybody in this city!" Daxter said with a bit of sass in his voice. "And there's two things you need to know. One, we don't want to join your stinking race team! And two…you just lost a date with Orange Lighting! Let's go guys." Daxter said turning to Jak and Naruto. Naruto smiled at the way the ottsel ended it, in true Daxter fashion. The curtain jerked open and their stood the woman, showing off her entire belly with her top and long pants. The visor on her head was lifted and she looked at Daxter with recognition.
"Daxter! It is you!" The ottsel jumped around, his blue eyes going wide.
"Keira!"
"Oh, I never thought I'd be so glad to see your furry mug!" This Keira said as she knelt, her visor falling off, and grabbed a hold of Daxter's cheeks. Naruto felt a growl forming in his throat at seeing his friend being manhandled like that. "And Jak you look..." She stood and took in Jak. Her eyes flashed with curiosity and then disappointment, and that almost made Naruto punch her. Why would she be disappointed in him? Because he works for Krew? "Different." Her tone was sad, as if she was expecting someone else to be standing there.
"It's been a tough ride." Jak said, looking away from Keira. She also looked away then spotted Naruto.
"Who are you?" The blue-green haired girl asked.
"I'm Naruto and-" Keira cut in looking back at her two old friends.
"I've been looking for you guys forever and planning a way to get us back home. Somehow that rift took us far into the future. I've calculated the time displacement-"
"We found your father…well, sort of." Jak said causing Keira to freeze completely.
"What do you mean?"
"He's working with the Underground fighting the Baron." Daxter said. "But he's…"
"You just need to go see him. And I need to get to the Baron." Jak said to save them all the trouble. Naruto fidgeted. He felt like he was seeing a part of their lives he wasn't meant to see.
"You could try to win the Class 1 Championship. The winner always gets to meet the Baron in the Palace. But you have to qualify by winning the lower class races. The Class 3 race is starting soon…you could drive for my team!" Keira said then look at Jak seriously. "But we should be thinking about getting out of here. I don't like this place. And some of the people are creepy…" Just as she said this her eyes looked at Naruto who looked away.
Naruto's sapphire eyes went wide at the familiar floating crime lord approaching. His entire body started to tremble as his mind flashed to that time Krew- "Naruto?" Jak asked cutting off what ever Keira had to say. His cold, dark blue eyes looked to were Naruto's were. The once Eco Hero let out a curse, to which Keira flinched at as he took Naruto and pulled him behind the curtain. "Stay here." He whispered before quickly stepping out so Krew wouldn't know there was anyone behind the curtain, or notice someone's shadow on the floor.
Naruto's stubs of ears pounded painfully as he heard Krew's voice. Even from his hidden spot he could smell the man. What was he doing here? His whole body shook violently as his mind recalled things he didn't want to remember. He flinched when Jak placed a hand on his shoulder, both he and Daxter looking at him with concern blue eyes.
"Stay here okay? Keira will watch over you. We'll be right back." Naruto nodded mutely and then watched as they walked away. Keira soon took Jak's place in front of him, silently taking both one of his hands in both of hers.
"I'm Keira…I'm sorry for giving you a look but it's hard to tell who to trust in Haven. Why don't we get to know each other?" Naruto didn't know if she was trying to calm him down or really get to know him…maybe it was both.
Jak smiled at Naruto as he placed the bronze trophy on the Zoomer horse. Daxter grinned, looking smug as ever. "When is this city going to provide some challenge, huh?" He asked as Keira sat next to the ottsel on the horse.
"Hey," Ashelin said entering the garage. She offered a nod of acknowledgement to everyone. "I watched you race today. You were pretty amazing out there."
"Thanks. Ashelin this is Keira. She's a fri-"
"Everyone knows who she is." Keira growled as she slid off the horse. Naruto and Jak seemed to noticing the growing tension between the two girls.
"Keira's a friend of ours Ashel-" Naruto got cut off by Keira.
"A very good friend." She said, glaring daggers at the redhead. Ashelin brushed it off and turned to Jak. Naruto looked at Daxter who let out a cat like sound and crawled up his shoulder.
"I never did say thanks for helping out with the tanker. Without your help we would have lost a lot of lives." Ashelin said then went to walk away. She paused just before leaving. "I'm not my father you know. Ever since I was a little girl, I've looked down at the city streets from that ridiculous palace, and imagined a better place." Just then two Krimzon Guards walked by and Naruto thought of Quix and her sister. "By the way," Ashelin said looking at Jak, Daxter, and Naruto. "They're hunting for you three. I'd watch out for Errol." Jak's body went tense at the name. "I can't protect you guys from him." Those were her parting words. Naruto looked at Daxter, who was leaning, trying to get a better view of her hips and butt.
"Whew! She's a betty. I'd love to pin some medals on her chest!" Daxter said with a playful growl. Jak glared weakly at Daxter then looked at Keira, who shook her head then retreated behind her curtain. He sighed and started to leave, Naruto jumping off the horse and following with Daxter on his shoulder still.
Naruto jumped violently as his com-link went off. Jak chuckled as they started to drive away from the Stadium in an old two person Zoomer model. "Like, Naruto it's totally Crow here." Daxter looked like he wanted to laugh at how Crow spoke but didn't once Naruto sent him a pointed look.
"I'm listening Crow."
"We totally need you for like, another mission. It's important, but doesn't like, need to be done yet. Came from like, the Shadow himself."
"I'll be there soon." Naruto said turning off the com-link. He looked over at Jak, who continued to drive towards Onin's hut since it was along the way.
"What do you think the mission is for?" Jak asked. Naruto shook his head.
"No idea." Jak's eyebrows furrowed in thought as Daxter added his two cents.
"It's probably some top secret agent mission!"
"I doubt that Dax." Naruto said.
It was odd entering Onin's hut and seeing Kor there. Even more odd was that the soothsayer looked very angry. "Expecting that boy to save us is folly!" Kor said stressing the point by slamming his cane down. "At his age, he's no match for the Metal Head Leader." Kor turned from Onin, facing the trio in the doorway. His eyes widen as he took them in. "Oh…Jak…Naruto. We were just talking about Samos' plan."
"Onin says your voice sounds very familiar. I'll bet you two golden oldies go way, WAY back, huh?" Pecker said, but Naruto was more focused on Onin who was giving a death glare at Kor even in her blind state. "Onin needs you to prove yourself, Jak." Pecker continued, not noticing the soothsayer's glare still on Kor as she 'spoke'. "You've shown your brass, and your brawn. Now you must show your brains as well. Frankly, I think she's pushing it, but I'm not the boss. Beat this test, and the third piece to the Seal will be reviled."
Naruto watched as Jak sat in front of Onin and closed his eyes. They both seemed to be in a trace of sorts along with Pecker, leaving Daxter sitting on Naruto's shoulder alone with Kor. The elder man was watching the three on the floor with an almost predatory look, and it sent a cold chill down Naruto's spine.
Then questions started to fill his mind. Why did Onin seem to hate Kor? Wasn't Kor supposed to be watching the kid? If so where was the boy? These questions seemed to distract him from the real world or he would have noticed Kor's gaze flicker to him more than once.
"Wow…" Naruto breathed out as the three pieces of the Seal appeared before them and suddenly formed one whole Seal. Jak stood as the Seal floated in front of him and then willing went towards him as Pecker spoke.
"Behold! The Seal of Mar is now complete. Onin says the three artifacts you retrieved from the Mountain Temple…arrrk…are relics from an ancient Light Tower. Old songs tell of how this Light Tower once shined down on the actual site of Mar's Tomb! I'll sing once of these songs for you." Just then Jak grabbed the floating Seal, his pupils dilating as he did.
Small, chubby hands reached out at a Seal on a leather cord around a slim pale neck. A light airy laugh filled the warm room as the baby's hands wrapped around it. Soft, slender fingers brushed against his as the woman took off the necklace and handed it to him.
"It's the Seal of your ancestor, the one you're named after." Her voice was smooth and airy and brought warmth into him. "One day, your father will give you one just like it. But you're a little too young to have one wrapped around your neck." She smiled, but the light in the room blocked out her upper face. Her soft, pink lips were placed to his forehead and she brushed his hair from his face.
"I love you, my little Ma-"
Kor's cane hit the floor of the hut as Pecker continued to sing, loudly and even though Jak thought he never heard this song he was somewhat irritated. He could hear a soft voice humming the same song or singing it…and the moncaw was killing it.
"Whoa there iron lungs!" Naruto said cutting off Pecker.
"Yeah! Just tell us what we need to do before you make all our ears bled!" Daxter said, removing his paws from his ears. None of them seemed to notice Kor leave until his cane hit the dirt and stone outside the hut
"Cretins with no taste, huh? You must take the three artifacts to Mar's Gate. Only then will the Light Tower rise and reveal the Tomb."
Naruto had not been expecting this to be his mission. Since Jak was going to activate the Light Tower, he, Kor, Samos, and the kid had to be ready for it. The problem was no one could get close to the kid and he didn't want to go with anyone it seemed.
Rucah was holding a bloodied hand out for Quix to look at, who was also telling him that he was being a big baby and that the spy business had made him soft. Peter, even though he was a big elf and seemed to fear nothing, was afraid to get close to the sharp rows of Crocadog teeth. Jewell was sliding on a new pair of boots over bandaged feet and shredded piles of leather, which Naruto guessed were once her shoes, sat next to her. Torn was nowhere to be found and the Shadow was going on about how they need to be ready.
"As you like, totally see the situation went from like, bad to worse. It totally wasn't this bad when I like, called you. But, the Shadow like, totally started to rush around and like, made it worse." Crow said, seeming to have had staid far from the protective Crocadog. Naruto sighed and walked up to the snarling Crocadog and the kid. As soon as he knelt down the boy had flung his arms around the blond's neck.
"Isn't that cute?" Quix said earning a mild look from Rucah, who seemed to be trying to avoid looking at Naruto the whole time. The fox teen picked up the kid, jutting out his hip to get a better hold on him as the Crocadog calmed down a little at seeing the familiar face that had proven itself.
"Hey kid." Naruto said with a smile as the boy started to run his hand through the blond locks. "Want to come with me to see Jak and Daxter?" He didn't like the idea of taking the little child to the Tomb, where ever it maybe, but if he was there with him then he could possibly keep the kid from going in. The boy nodded and Samos let out a sigh.
"It's about time! Now we need to get a move on if we are to be ready! Quix, get the Hellcat ready for us."
"Aye aye Captain Shadow sir!" The silver-blond said leaving Rucah behind. Since his face was hidden it was only distinguishable that he was frowning by the creases his forehead made.
It wasn't long before Naruto found himself in a familiar orange Hellcat, only this time he was in the turret with the Crocadog, which he had to watch out for since the pet didn't want him touching him unless they were getting in or out. Samos and the kid had taken the passenger side and Quix was idling driving. They had no idea where the Light Tower would point so there was no use in sticking to one spot.
"Holy mother fuc-" Quix's curse was either cut off by herself or drowned out by the explosion of the Baron's statue that they were driving by. Naruto ducked and covered the whimpering Crocadog as a…hand sliced through the air where he was once standing.
"What was that?" Naruto yelled as he stood from his position. Quix's mouth opened in shock.
"Oh great! The Baron just gave me another reason to hate him! His statue's ear just scratched my baby!" Samos shook his head as the Hellcat parked itself near the entrance to the new place. Quix jumped out and soothingly ran her hand over the scratch. Naruto jumped out soon after, placing the Crocadog down as soon as he could since the pet was snarling at him in warning. The kid walked over to Naruto, taking his bigger hand in his smaller one.
"It seems the Tomb of Mar was under our noses this whole time." Samos said walking towards the entrance.
"And under the Baron's feet." Naruto said jokingly causing Quix to smile.
"Good luck guys. I'm going to head back and get my baby fixed. Call me up if you need me to pick you up." She said sliding back into her Hellcat and taking off. Once gone and the dust cleared from her take off Kor appeared, as if he was phantom in the dust cloud.
"It seems as if victory is our gasp." He said joining Samos at the entrance, both waiting for Naruto and the kid. The blond looked over his shoulder for Jak. There was just something about Kor that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and it seemed to have the same affect on the Crocadog. Naruto held on tighter to the boy's hand and took the first step towards Samos and Kor, the Crocadog circling him and the kid.
A sinking feeling fell in the pit of the fox teen's gut and weighted him down into oblivion. Something wasn't right. As soon as his feet touched the old, unused elevator in the Tomb his heart started to race and his head pounded painfully. His tail twitched and flicked at his pants, trying to escape. Something defiantly wasn't right, but now it was too late to go back.