Naruto let out a sigh of relief when he heard the old elevator moving. He smiled at the boy he was crouching next to. The kid looked at him with wide, innocent blue eyes and squeezed their joined hands as the elevator behind them came to a stop and Jak, with Daxter on his shoulder, walked up to them. He stood behind the five year old and placed his hands on his small shoulders. Samos stared at the massive Oracle in the wall with awe before looking at Jak.
"You did it! You actually found Mar's Tomb!"
"Now what?" Naruto snapped. "You're going to send this boy into the Tomb? He could die!" Jak nodded in agreement, feeling the kid shake a little under his hands.
"This is the day I've along awaited." All sets of eyes looked at Kor, who looked at the Tomb doors in fascination. "To finally hold the fabled Precursor Stone in my hands." Samos ignored Kor's interjection and walked over to the boy.
"You must be cautious child." A look of rage and disgust cross the trio's faces. Samos was still going to send the boy into the Tomb. "The tests of manhood are sure to be fraught peril and Mar's Heir must face them alone."
"It's okay, kid." Daxter said jumping down and landing in front of him. "You can do it! It's just a deep, pitch black, 'sure to be filled to the brim with painful death' old tomb…" Daxter trailed off suddenly looking horrified at the Tomb doors. Jak slapped his hand to his face at his friend's 'encouragement'. The young boy looked ready to cry and he held onto Naruto's hand tighter. The Crocadog gave a light growl in warning to Daxter that he was upsetting his master and he was close to pulling him apart, but the ottsel continued.
"I wouldn't go in there." He whispered to the boy. The room shook as the Oracle opened its eyes and stared down at them.
"Welcome heir of Mar, finally the chosen one stands before me. Enter and prove yourself worthy to claim the ancient birthright." The Tomb doors started to open as the Precursor Oracle spoke. Naruto watched in confusion as Jak seemed to be in a daze and walked around that boy. As soon as he took his first step forward the Oracle cried out. "NO! This child is too young to face the tests." Then the doors started to close.
"What? No!" Kor yelled, a look of rage briefly crossing his face.
"Do something!" Samos said, watching as the gap between the risen door and the floor got smaller and smaller. Jak suddenly broke out in a run to the doors.
"Jak," Daxter said, trying to change his friend's mind as he ran after the green-blond. "Remember the 'sure to be filled to the brim with painful death' part?" His words fell on deft ears as Jak rolled in the small gap, almost being crushed. At the last second Daxter turned away from the doors, but the unaired Tomb was sucking him and the fresh air in. Jak's hand shot out and grabbed the ottsel's tail and pulled him in, just a hair before the gap fully closed.
"Jak….Daxter…" Naruto said as he stood, still holding the kid's hand.
"Great tree limbs! He's gone to face the tests." Samos said pointing at the doors in wonder. Could someone other than Mar's Heir face the tests?
"No." Kor said, looking serious and angry. "He's gone to his death." Naruto felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up for two reasons; the almost gleeful smile on Kor's face as he spoke and the sound of the old elevator behind them coming to a stop. Heavy armored Krimzon Guards flooded the room, all their guns trained on them.
"Freeze! You are all under arrest by order of Baron Praxis!" One of them said as a man stepped forward. Naruto's sapphire eyes went wide as he saw four claw marks across his face. The man jerked off his helmet and locked gazes with Naruto.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Shadow, a child, an old man, and the fox himself. You left quite a few scars blondie. Take them in." Frank said.
Then chaos erupted.
All the Krimzon Guards advanced and all Naruto could think was that he had to protect the kid, even if that meant taking a life. He let go of the boy's hand and lunged at the nearest guard, sinking his claws into the chest plate of their armor before attacking the next. He cried out in pain as a bullet hit the back of his leg.
"Don't attack him! The Baron needs him alive you moron!" Frank yelled, and then Naruto found himself in a sea of red amour. They were all pinning down his limbs and throwing their weight on him, forcing him to the ground. His face was pressed painfully against the Tomb floor and his lungs struggled for oxygen. Naruto growled weakly at see the Crocadog being picked up and thrown against the wall. A painful 'yarp!' escaped him and he fell lifelessly to the floor.
His ears twitched as he heard Samos yelling at them as they forced him onto the elevator. Naruto's sapphire eyes flashed everywhere. Where was Kor and the kid? He looked over to where a bunch of guards were laying cold and lifeless, but none of them had claws marks just dented armor that was so deeply dented it must have punctured an organ or two, but he didn't do that.
The fox teen growled loudly as he fought to get free under the weight. Frank knelt down and smirked at him, holding a needle in one of his hands. "This should keep you down until we get to the Baron." Naruto did the one thing he could do in his downed state, he spit in Frank's eye. The man sneered and wiped away the spit before bringing his hand down harshly across Naruto's face. "Damn fox brat!" He yelled before roughly shoving the needle and injecting its drug inside Naruto's blood.
It took a few heartbeats but the drug affected him. First it was black specks dancing in his vision, then his eyes closed over his sapphire eyes and he briefly heard something. He could have sworn it was Daxter's scream of fear.
Jak held his arm as he approached the entrance to the Tomb. Praxis had gotten away with the Stone and he said that 'his Underground friends were no match for the guards above'. His cold, dark blue eyes narrowed at the empty chamber. A few dead guards were left behind but there was also a small pool of blood next to a forgotten needle.
"Jak! It's the kid's Crocadog!" Daxter said pointing to the fallen pet. Jak walked over a carefully picked up the hurt animal. Holding him in one arm, the once hero used his other to dig out his com-link.
"Anyone listening? I need to be picked up. Wounded and I have an injured Crocadog with me." Jak said, hoping someone was tuned into the emergency wavelength. There was a long silence until a smooth, even voice answered.
"This is Rucah. Name yourself solider and give me your coordinates."
"Jak. I'm…" The green-blond didn't know any coordinates let alone the ones for where he was. "I'll be waiting near what was once the Baron's statue." There was a sigh before Rucah replied.
"I'll be there in a few minutes. Keep vigilant, there's more KG out than ever and the Elites are even out."
"I will be." Jak said before leaving the Tomb. Baron had the Stone and his friends. He had Naruto. What ever the Baron wanted him for they would find out, but a part of him didn't want to know.
It wasn't long before a familiar orange Hellcat lowered itself next to him. Rucah, who for once had his blue bandana off his face, nodded to them as they slid in. As he drove he looked over at the whimpering Crocadog and Jak's bleeding arm.
"You need to go see Doctor Duhon when we get to the Underground. He's an expert on healing, both people and animals." Rucah said as they turned into the industrial area. Jak nodded mutely as he stroke the fur of the Crocadog. Daxter placed a comforting hand on his friend's cheek. The ottsel soon found the once hero holding him to his chest in a hug.
This war was taking a toll on all of them. This was just the straw that broke the camel's back.
Naruto's sapphire eyes blinked open, the world outside his mind blurred with colors that mixed together. He groaned and forced his body to stand. The fact he could only get on his knees and there was Precursor metal around his ankles and wrists, which were behind his back, sent a cold jolt of fear down his spine. The fox teen forced himself to focus as he looked over his stripped body, his tail's fur was standing up, an attempt to make him look bigger which was failing.
"I see you've joined the land of the living." The Baron's voice filled the dome like chamber through the speakers. Naruto's eye flashed up to the glass that held the faces of the Baron, Errol, and a woman Krimzon Guard. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment. Even since I found that book on your kind I've sought you out and now…we'll see if you really have the powers the book spoke of."
His kind? There was other who had fox ears and tails? Naruto shook his head and glared at the Baron. "I don't know what you've been smoking but you're mistaken if I'm going to help you with anything or give you any power!" The Baron chuckled, low and dark.
"You don't have to give me anything. I'll take the power I need." He moved away from the microphone and told the guard something. She looked at the fox teen, hesitant in her movement but she pressed a few buttons it seemed and then turned a knob.
A violent scream tore its way past Naruto's lips as he felt his nerves become ablaze with fire. He ground his teeth together to try and numb the pain, but the electricity pulsating through him only increased. Everything hurt and there was no way to fight it off. A pure feral growl built in his chest as his eyes started to glaze over into a milk white color.
The warmth of power dulled the pain as it ceaselessly shocked him. It washed over him in strong waves as he stared at the Baron, who was smirking at the sight before him. Naruto's claws tore into his own flesh as he felt not one, but three tails flick angrily around him. They didn't even feel like his regular fluffy tail but long, slick, powerful ones.
He clenched his eyes shut tight as the voltage of electricity increased. What did someone say about tails?
"Big brother! Big brother!" A small boy yelled as he raced across the smooth metal of a spaceship. A redhead turned, his teal eyes surrounded by thick black rings, softened at seeing the small boy. "Big brother, why are we leaving this world?" The pale skinned teen with raccoon ears and tail knelt down to be at eyelevel with him and smiled sadly.
"Our brother…he was hurt and he accidentally unleashed too much power."
"Is that why he's in his room and the Precursors are mad?" The blond asked, his fox tail moving lazily around. The redhead nodded.
"Yes, but he didn't mean to hurt the world. You know Yagura wouldn't do such a thing." The younger of the two nodded then pouted.
"But…we're just like Yagura…we all have power like his and I don't want to make a world disappear. Gaara, how do I control my power…if I ever get like Yagura?" The blond asked. The redhead, Gaara, sighed and placed a hand between the boy's fox ears.
"You have to keep your sanity. Find something you want to protect and hang onto it. As long as you have something you want to protect on that world, you won't hurt it."
Another mix between a roar and scream escaped Naruto, his eyes snapping open. His completely white eyes stared at the ceiling as the last part of his sanity tried to hold onto something tangible, something to protect. The blurry picture that had started to form in his mind of his friends was soon turned to ash as more agony ripped through him and a fifth tail joined its sisters.
Torn's back met the wall painfully as Jak's grip on his clothing tightened. "What do you mean it's your fault? What did you do?" The green-blond yelled. Torn's coal blue eyes met his.
"It's my fault. The Baron threatened to kill Ashelin for spying. His own daughter! I couldn't risk that, even for the Underground."
"Because of that the Baron has Samos, the kid, Kor, and Naruto!" Jak yelled, a few sparks of Dark Eco flying off him.
"Praxis also has the Precursor Stone so he can do whatever he wants now!" Daxter added. There was a tense silence until Torn's com-link went off. Jak let go of Torn, letting him on his feet. The second in command for the Underground answered the device.
"Torn, Jewell here. I went to check on Tess…and Krimzon Guards were hulling her out of Hip Hog Haven." Jak glared viciously at Torn thinking he also turned in Tess. "Shit. KGs are coming this way. I'll tell anyone I see to stay low for now." The com-link went dead as Jewell hung up. Torn sighed, suddenly looking a lot older than he should.
"There is still a way to get our friends back, and maybe the Precursor Stone as well. I'll find Vin. Go to the fortress, and we'll call you." Torn said, calculating a plan in his head. The Baron had too many of their comrades, all of them important. Coupled with the fact he had the Precursor Stone and it was like being in a Crocadog pit with only your fists to help you. Jak growled, another sharp pop of Dark Eco sparking off him.
"And why should we trust you?" He said, venom laced in every word. Torn's eyes hardened at the question.
"Because you and I both know the Baron would have killed Ashelin, even if she is his daughter, and he would have done it without remorse. It'll be a tough fight through the fortress, probably suicide." Jak's eyebrows furrowed and glared at the ex-Krimzon Guard.
"Just get the door open." He spat then left, his hands balled into tight fists.
Jak panted as he entered the prison section of the fortress. Dark, chilling memories whispered in his mind. He shook his head. He needed to focus and find his friends. His body froze near the cell doors, staring at the chair that was used for the Dark Eco Experiments.
There was a small 'click!' and two of the cell doors opened. Daxter smirked at seeing part of Tess's boot and before the door opened fully he leaned on the wall, looking smug. "Hey there, sweetheart! The Metal Head masher has saved the day! Oh, and I let Jak tag along too."
"Oh, my little hero!" Tess said as he picked up the ottsel and hugged him, his face being buried in her ample chest. Jak shook his head and walked over to the other cell, looking in.
"Samos, are you alright?" Before the young Samos could answer and older Samos looked around the corner, looking irritated.
"What took you so long!" He said "I added six rings to my trunk waiting for you two to get me out of here!" Old Samos said as he walked past Jak. He shook his head and then did a double take at Jak. "Great Yakow horns! What happened to you, Jak?"
"Wait a minute!" Daxter said wiggling out of Tess's hold. "You're you. I mean the other you! I mean…you know what I mean."
"Yes," Young Samos said joining everyone outside the cells. "It appears I have an older time twin. Great grass grubs, I can't believe what a cranky old log I become!"
"Two Samos the Sages? Aaack!" Daxter yelled hiding behind Jak's leg. "Jak, they're multiplying!"
"We need to find the kid, pronto!" Old Samos said.
"What are you talking about, old growth? The kid already opened the Tomb. Our top priority should be to disrupt the Baron's forces!" Young Samos said. Jak looked around; Naruto wasn't in the cells with the other. Where did the Baron take him?
"Oh, look who thinks they've sprouted. If you were half as wise as I am, you'd know that the proper course of action is to find the kid!"
"Listen you old, dried up leaf, I run this outfit and I say we go after the Baron's forces." Daxter jumped between the two Samos the Sages, giving them both pointed looks.
"Do we have to separate you two?"
"Vin's activating the Warp Gate. You guys need to get out of here." Jak said pointing to the gate.
"What do you mean 'you guys'? You're coming with us." Old Samos said. Jak shook his head.
"I still need to find Naruto. Daxter, take them through the gate, I'll meet up with you guys later." The ottsel nodded before herding both old and young Samos through the gate. Jak turned to continue his search when a hand was placed on his shoulder. He looked over to see Tess with a frown on her face.
"When the guards brought me in they were talking about how the fox was reacting well to Baron's treatment and as long as they had him everything would go well. They also said something about the intensive training room. That might be where Naruto is." Tess said, looking concerned for their missing comrade and for Jak.
"Thanks Tess. Now go before the gate closes. I'll meet up with you later." The blond nodded before going through the Warp Gate, once through the portal closed, leaving Jak alone in the prison. The once hero pulled out his gun and switched it to the Vulcan Furry mod, before pushing deeper into the fortress.
This couldn't be Naruto. The broken form with tear trails down his face before him wasn't the smiling blond, it couldn't be. Jak placed his gun beside him as he knelt next to the twitching blond. His sapphire eyes stared off into oblivion, trembling at some unknown horror. Carefully, Jak placed a hand on his bloodied back.
Naruto's eyes snapped to him, but not fully registering the fact there was someone there. The once hero used his other hand to brush a few golden strands from the fox teen's face. There was so much blood everywhere; on the walls, on the glass high above them, all over the floor, covering the naked blond. Body parts of numerous Krimzon Guards littered the floor.
Jak rubbed some of the blood off Naruto softly; gasping at seeing even the small amount of skin shown was covered with electrical burns, peeling skin, and bullet holes. The green-blond lifted the other male's wrist, staring at the Precursor metal that circled it and the chain that had been broken off of the wall. The skin there was rubbed raw and bleeding, just like the claws marks a little above the metal.
"Naruto?" Jak asked, trying to get the blond back into this world as his eyes continued to dart about. A small, weak, broken growl escaped Naruto's lips. The once Eco Hero grabbed his gun and put it away before gathering up the blond in his arms. The fox teen let out a pained hiss as his wounds were irritated by the movement. Another growl escaped him in warning before yelping when Jak placed his hand on a deep burn mark.
Jak had to readjust his hold multiple times before he found away to hold the blond and not irate any of his wounds. As he started to walk out of the room he paused at seeing a familiar face. Four scars ran across his face and his chest slowly rose and fell. Dark Eco snapped off of Jak, as much as he would have like to take care of Frank for taking part in the damage that was done to Naruto the blond's current condition took priority to revenge.