The next morning was the day of the big Championship Class 1 race, but Brutter had called Jak and Daxter in to help have six Lurker slaves. This left Naruto to head to the Stadium without them. It was nerve wracking and the blond found himself back into his old habit of trembling. His tail flicked nervously, which was the reasons he was so nervous. He had never been out in public with his tail out, at least not alone. He always had Jak and Daxter. Though, he had to thank the Precursors everyone, even the guards, was more interested in talking about the big race than a sixteen year old with a fox tail.
Naruto nearly screamed when Rucah appeared beside him, his blue bandana always hiding his face. "Don't sneak up on me like that!" The blond said, but he felt more comfortable with a familiar…face? Could he say that since Naruto had never seen Rucah's face before? A familiar person then.
"Are you going to watch the race?" Naruto asked as the approached the Stadium doors. Rucah nodded mutely causing a frown to form on the fox teen's lips. "Did I do something to make you mad at me?" The blue-black haired man shook his head. "So you're always like this?" Another shake. Naruto's eyebrows furrowed as Rucah staid silent, watching him as he played with something in his pocket. "Okay…hey, save me a seat next to you okay? I want to watch Jak race." Rucah nodded as Naruto handed him the Orbs need to pay for his seat before going to the garage where he knew Jak and Daxter would show up.
It wasn't long before Jak and Daxter showed up. Keira smiled at her father, Old Samos, as she walked to the curtain. "I'll show you guys what I've been working on, if you promise not to laugh." She said, mainly looking at Daxter.
"Oooo, I love surprises! And I love to laugh! Show me! Show me!" Daxter said excitedly. Keira pushed open the curtains to show a strange Zoomer Naruto had never seen before. Before he could ask Keira answered.
"I've been building a replica of our crashed Rift Rider machine from old artifacts."
"That's my girl!" Samos said, positively beaming with pride.
"But…I'm still missing two pieces." Samos shook his head, muttering a 'figures' under his breath. "Vin says I need artifact called the Time Map and an old energy gem the history books call the Heart of Mar. And I've looked in every book on Precursor history I can find, but the Rift Ring seems to have vanished." Naruto frowned as he listened to the conversation. He felt like he was invading something private but if they were this serious about going back to their time then Jak and Daxter were going to leave. The fox teen placed his hand to his heart as it clenched painfully at the thought of his friends leaving, and not just going to a far off city, but back in time.
"You did all this?" Jak asked. "I mean…that's useful." Daxter groaned loudly.
"Will you two stop moping and make up already?" Jak ignored him.
"I've seen the Heart of Mar. Krew has it. We'll get those two artifacts."
"Attention, all drivers. The Class 1 Championship Race is about to begin." The robotic woman's voice said over the loudspeakers.
"Well, here goes. The race of my life." Jak said turning to Naruto. The blond smiled at him.
"Good luck Jak. I'll be watching and cheering for you."
"Hey!" Daxter yelled jumping onto Jak's shoulder looking pointedly at Naruto. "What about me? I helped get us here!"
"Do you want to drive?" Jak asked seriously as he looked at his friend.
"Against that crazy loon, Errol? No way! You got the handlebars, brother!" The ottsel said earning a laugh from Naruto. "And you better keep us alive, or I will never speak to again…obviously." Jak smiled and looked at Naruto.
"Leave 'em in the dust." The blond said. Jak nodded then took off to the entrance for racers. "Jak! Wait!" Naruto yelled after him. The green-blond turned, his mouth opened to ask a question when the fox teen ran into him, hugging him tightly. "Be safe." He whispered. He let go and at the last second placed a chaste kiss to Jak's cheek before racing into the Stadium to find Rucah.
"I knew it!" Daxter yelled earning a smack on the back of the head from Jak. The ottsel glared half-heartedly through his ear splitting grin; Jak was blushing.
Naruto smiled as he sat down next to Rucah, a very noticeable pink on his cheeks. He leaned over the railing which had a perfect view of the race. He was sure he didn't give the Underground member enough Orbs to get these types of seats. His smile grew as Jak got on the racing Zoomer and was lowered down with the other racers. The fox teen frowned and his ears twitched as he heard voice from the track.
"I want more than just to win, Eco Freak…I want you!" There was so much hate and lust; it was Errol's voice. Naruto's sapphire eyes narrowed as he tried to hear if Jak said anything, but even from this high up it clear to see that Jak had gone tense and his jaw was hard set.
"Greetings, racers!" Baron Praxis' voice boomed as his platform was lowered, two guards flanking him. "Today your nerve and skill will be tested for our amusement. If any of you should by some small chance beat our grand champion Errol then you will be awarded a month's supply of Eco," Naruto's eyes flashed to the sidelines were barrels of Eco were being guarded by three guards. "And a short tour of my palace to see how the better half lives." The Baron muttered under his breath quickly. "Good luck and die bravely!"
"He's such a pig right, Rucah?" Naruto asked looking at his friend. The man's jade eyes seemed to be looking at the top of his head but quickly met Naruto's. He nodded and the race begun.
Naruto felt his voice go raw with all the screaming he did. For the first two laps Jak was all over the place in placing but in the next two it was a battle for first with Errol but all through the last lap and across the finish line it was Jak in first.
Jak smirked as he claimed the pass into the Palace as Daxter sucked up the cheering. "Thank you! Thank you very much! I love my public!" Jak looked into the crowd for a familiar blond and sent a smile at Naruto, who was clapping and cheering. The Eco was lowered behind Jak and Daxter as the Baron came to greet the winner.
"Ah, a brave man of the people. And who is this worthy opponent?" Praxis asked to Jak's back. "In my world, good men are either brought, or broken. So which is it going to be?"
"Surprise." Jak said as he turned around to face the Baron.
"WHAT?"
"Just a little closer. We need to talk."
"Fool! Don't you get it? It's over, Jak! All the heroes died long ago! Only survival remains…by whatever means!" Naruto's ears twitched as he heard an engine rev up. His sapphire eyes looked down the tack to see Errol still on his racing Zoomer, dark rage written on his face as he aimed the Zoomer at Jak. "This city is mine! These lives are mine! This war is mine! And in war…PEOPLE DIE! Kill him." The guards on both sides of the Baron cocked their guns but the female one noticed Errol.
"Look out!" She yelled, and Jak could have sworn her voice was the same as the prison guard's. The Baron's platform quickly shot up out of danger, leaving Jak and Daxter alone on the track.
"JAK!" Naruto yelled as Errol came speeding at full power down the track. His sapphire eyes went wide as the Zoomer crashed into the barrels of Eco, all types mixing together in an explosion as the most blood chilling scream filled the air from below. People in the stands screamed and started to run as stray mixed Eco shot out as did shrapnel. Naruto felt his body pushed to the ground as Rucah shielded his body with his.
The Stadium was in chaos and Naruto had no idea if Jak or Daxter were alive. Rucah had silently pulled the fox teen out of the red zone and drove almost as crazy as Jak out of there towards the Underground. The blond blinked as Rucah offered his com-link out to him. Naruto looked at him confused. Rucah's jade eyes flashed in internal conflict before he spoke.
"Jak's a fighter, and Daxter's too clueless to die. Call them. There's no way something as petty as Errol's revenge for a race could take them down." His voice was even, and it sounded very familiar, as if Naruto had heard him speak before. Gratefully, the fox teen took Rucah's com-link and pressed a few buttons and waited anxiously for it to be patched through.
Jak paused just outside the massive double doors leading into the throne room as his com-link went off. Daxter gave him a look as he fished it out of his pocket, noticing the series of beeps to be Rucah's. "Rucah what-"
"You're alright!" Naruto's voice yelled, surprising both Jak and Daxter. "I saw the explosion and I didn't see you make it out and the Stadium was in chaos and…is Daxter alright too?"
"Never better!" Daxter answered cheekily.
"That's great. I was so worried." Jak smiled and then looked back at the doors.
"Naruto, I'm about to have a…talk with the Baron. I'll call you back."
"Kick his ass, and be safe." Naruto said before the connection was cut off. The once hero pocketed his com-link and pushed through the doors. He walked calmly into the empty throne room, frowning at seeing the throne un-occupied.
"I shouldn't have trusted you!" Ashelin yelled from behind them, pointing her Eco pistol at him.
"Back where we started, huh?" Jak asked as he turned to face her. The redhead glared at him as she walked closer.
"Don't play with me! All along you've been trying to undermine our war with the Metal Heads! Whose side are you on?" She asked, making her point by shoving the pistol close to Jak's face.
"Listen Ashelin, your father's planning something terrible and if-" Ashelin cut off Jak's sentence by shoving her gun under his chin, causing Daxter to jump off.
"My father can destroy the Metal Head armies once and for all!"
"If he cracks open the Precursor Stone, the explosion will kill all of us! Don't you get it?" Jak asked shoving the gun away from him. Ashelin looked away in thought.
"That's right!" Daxter said, putting his hands on his hips. "No so hard, huh? Even I can figure this one out!" Jak turned his back on Ashelin, who quickly pointed her gun at him.
"Don't you move!" She growled as she pulled out her com-link, pressing the button for an emergency link, her voice going straight through to whom she was calling, bypassing the ringing. "Vin? Come in."
"What? What? I've got my hands full here you know!" Vin's highly stressed voice answered. Ashelin shook her head.
"You know all about the Precursor Stone myth, right?"
"Sure, I did my Econetic Energy Doctorate on Precurian Theoretical Physics. Why?"
"What would happen if the Precursor Stone was to be…say…violently cracked open?"
"Great! As if I didn't have enough to keep me awake at night, you give me one more thing to dread! Thank you very much! If someone actually had the Stone, according to my calculations, a runaway Eco surge from cracking it open would…theoretically destroy…EVERYTHING!"
"Everything?" Ashelin asked, her dark green eyes widening and her voice was full of shock.
"All things…every single thing…Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna go throw up! Bye bye…" The com-link went dead as Ashelin let her arm fall limp. She lowered her gun and turned her back to Jak, who turned to face her.
"Trust me Ashelin. We have to stop him." There was a moment's pause before the Baron's daughter turned to ace Jak and Daxter, putting her gun away.
"I'll try to find out more. But right now, my father is meeting Krew at a secret Weapons Factory near the Dig. Here." She said giving Jak a security pass. "That's my top-level security pass. It'll get you into the Factory, but it won't get you back out. We never had this conversation." Ashelin said before walking away. Jak watched her walk away before leaving the Palace, Daxter crawling back up his shoulder.
Torn looked up from his maps as Naruto's com-link went off. The blond fumbled for it before answering.
"Hello?"
"Naruto, it's Jak. The Baron is meeting with Krew at a Weapons Factory near the Dig. Ashelin and I are going to crash it. Since Krew isn't at the Hip Hog Haven I want you to see if he left anything behind."
"And check on my girl!" Daxter added. There was a smack and a 'HEY!' that followed that.
"I will. You be safe Jak, Daxter you too."
"We will. I'll meet up with you at the saloon after this." Jak said and the com-link went dead. Naruto looked over at Torn, who face was in deep thought.
"Torn?" Naruto asked causing the ex-Krimzon Guard to look up. "Ashelin will be alright. She's proven herself that she's a fighter." The fox teen started toward the door and sent him a beaming smile. Torn could tell half of it was to assure him and the other half was to hide his worry for his friends.
"I'll tell Doctor Duhon to be ready. Jak may be too stubborn to die but he's not Superman." Torn said in his gravely voice. Naruto gave a grateful nod before slipping out of the Underground and heading towards the Hip Hog Haven.
At least he was able to hotwire the Zoomer in five minutes now.
Jak let out a deep breath through his nose as he rode to the top of the Weapons Factory. He knew Krew was waiting at the end of this elevator, and with that would also be a fight most likely. The once hero stepped out and looked up to see Krew floating around a giant tower with a bomb in it. Jak stop and crossed his arms as Krew floated down to him.
"I knew you were special when I first met you Jak, and I commend you for making it this far." Krew said, backing up with each step Jak took towards him. "We've come a long way, 'ey?"
"Yeah. I'm getting real teary eyed." Jak spoke with venom. Krew sighed and started to float around the tower.
"I love weapons. I love how they look…how they feel…even how they smell…"
"I think you need serious help." Jak said, truly thinking the crime lord had finally lost the last few marbles he had. Krew floated back down.
"My favorite was the impossibly powerful weapon Mar built to blast open the Metal Head Nest. Poor fool died before he could use it, ahh well." Krew said floating back to his tower. Jak narrowed his eyes at the massive man's constant movement. "But I have a new favorite. The Piercer Bomb I've just completed. My masterpiece is powerful enough to crack open the Precursor Stone, and release the untold energy inside!" Jak and Daxter shared a look as Krew came back down, Daxter making the coo-coo sign with his finger and temple.
"As soon as the Baron shows up with the Stone we'll hide it in the last shipment of Eco and deliver it to the Metal Head Nest. A surprise dessert, 'ey?" Krew chuckled as he stopped in front of Jak and Daxter. "Just take this Gun Upgrade and forget what you saw here." Krew said tossing them the upgrade.
"Not this time, Krew!" Jak said as Daxter attached the upgrade to the gun. "I'm through being your hired gun!"
"Then it's war isn't it?" Krew said floating away from them, and then they fought.
Jak growled as he aimed the last shot. "This one's for Naruto." His whispered under his breath as he pulled the trigger to the Blaster mod. Krew's machine started to spin uncontrollably then short-circuited. As a last ditch effort, the crime lord tried to reach down and reclaim the Heart of Mar he dropped, but his layers of fat made it impossible. Daxter calmly picked it up.
"Is it too late to give my notice?" Jak asked the dieing man.
"Yeah! We quit!" Daxter said.
"The city is already dead! I've sold you all out!" Krew said before laughing which turned into painful coughs. Daxter's ears perked up at a low sound. He looked at the bomb and if he could of, he would have gone white as a sheet.
"Ahhh, Jak… I think maybe we should be anywhere else just about NOW!" The ottsel yelled as a red Hellcat appeared on the edge of the platform. Jak turned and picked up Daxter, who held onto the Heart of Mar.
"We're out of here! Get your asses in gear!" Ashelin yelled to them. Jak jumped in and the Hellcat took off.
"Ohh, well…" Krew muttered just before the bomb went off and destroyed him and the entire Weapons Factory.
"You guys find my father," Ashelin said as she dropped Jak and Daxter off at the Port. "I'll take the Heart of Mar to Keira for you. I'm sorry it's come to this." She said then took off, leaving Jak and Daxter at the Port.
Naruto looked up as the doors to the Hip Hog Haven saloon opened. He smiled as Jak and Daxter walked in. Tess also smiled then looked at the game machine that she and Naruto were looking at before for a moment.
"Hey guys, are you alright?" Naruto asked as he looked over both his friends to check for wounds.
"Yeah, we're fine. What did you find?" Jak asked. Naruto shook his head.
"Nothing but Tess saw something before I came by." Their attention turned to Tess.
"Krew hid something in this machine, and he looked nervous about it to." Daxter smirked and jumped onto the whack-a-Metal-Head game.
"Whatever it is, Krew won't be needing it anymore. He's, shall we say, not all together these day's." The ottsel said. Naruto's eyes widen and he looked at Jak, who smiled and nodded. The fox teen opened his eyes to say something but Daxter continued to talk. "Step aside. Let game player do his stuff!" Tess grinned and bent her torso down.
"You're such an animal." She whispered. Daxter grinned back and gabbed the mallet, ready to bash in the electronic Metal Heads. After about two minutes of whacking Metal Heads there was a loud 'ca-click!' from the machine. Daxter jumped down with a massive grin as the Time Map popped out. Naruto pulled it out of the machine as the ottsel looked at Tess.
"You know sugarplum, if any REAL Metal Heads came to town," Tess's eyes widen with horror as the saloon door was pushed open and two Metal Heads walked calmly in. Naruto's ears twitched at the sound of people screaming coming from outside. He turned from the Time Map and froze. How did Metal Heads get inside Haven? "I'd bonk 'em just like I did in the game!"
"Daxter…" Tess said fearfully as the Metal Heads approached him.
"They'd be all 'don't hurt me, please!' and I'd be all 'too late Metal Monkeys! You die screaming!'." Daxter laughed and looked at them, not knowing two Metal Heads were behind him. "Know what I'm saying?" Jak cocked his gun, just as Daxter turned to see the Metal Heads.
"Jak…Naruto…I think these trophies are still walking!" He screamed before scampering to Naruto, Jak, and Tess. Two gun shots fired out and the Metal Heads lay dead on the saloon floor.
"Ma ma, Metal Heads! Metal Heads! Where's Sig when you need him?" Daxter yelled.
"Sig? I think Krew sent Sig on one last mission. Something about using Mar's Ruby Key to open a secret door in the Underport." Tess said.
"Of course! Come on Dax, we need to get to the Underport right now." Jak said walking towards the door. Naruto handed the Time Map to Tess.
"Take this to Keira." The fox teen said.
"I will." The blond beauty said as Daxter turned in time to see the exchange.
"Be careful angel cheeks, and your hero will return shortly." Just as Daxter bowed Vin's highly panicked voice filled the room on both Jak and Naruto's com-links.
"THE SHEILD WALLS ARE DOWN! I REPEAT THE SHEILD WALLS ARE DOWN! SHEILD! WALL! DOWN! SABOTAGE! KOR DID IT! I KNEW METAL HEADS WOULD BE THE END OF ME…OH NO! METAL HEADS ARE AT THE DOOR!" Gun shots were heard and everyone paled. "THEY'RE BREAKING THROUGH! JAK! NARUTO! AHHHHHHHH!" The line went dead. Naruto was out the door before anyone could blink, racing towards the Power Station. His sapphire eyes went wide in horror at the site before him. The entire building was over run with Metal Heads, and there were no gun shots from inside or screams.
"Ah!" Naruto screamed as he jumped back from a Metal Head's claws. But before he could counter attack a Krimzon Guard had already taken out that Metal Head and was onto the next. The fox teen jumped onto a Krimzon Guard Bike, its driver dead beside it. Naruto froze at the face with four scars across it. It was the same man he attacked so long ago.
"Naruto! Naruto!" Torn's voice yelled over his com-link. The blond reached down and pulled it out as he drove through the industrial area.
"What is it Torn?"
"Where's Jak? He's not answering his com-link." There were gun shots, but it was hard to tell if it was coming form Torn's side or his.
"He must already be in Underport." Naruto answered firing off the cruiser's gun at the Metal Heads.
"Underport? Bastard! Get off me!" There was a gurgled noise, as if something's throat had been cut. "What's he doing in Underport?"
"Krew sent Sig on a suicide mission it seems. Jak went to help him out."
"Sig? Alright. Listen Naruto. I need you to check in on some of the Underground agents. None of them have been reported in or called in. I know we're in the middle of a war, but…"
"I understand. Who are they?" Naruto asked, taking a sharp turn.
"Quix, Rucah, Peter, Jewell, Crow, Kor, Vin, Ashelin, Tess, Keira, both Old and Young Samos, Onin, Pecker, and clearly Jak and Daxter. The kid's still missing as well." The fox teen's eyes narrowed at Kor's name.
"Vin's dead. The Power Station got over run. As for Kor he's the one who betrayed us. Before Vin got overrun he told us that it was Kor who opened the city walls." There was a sharp curse and more gun shots. "And I just saw Tess; she's heading toward the Stadium. I'll go back and check on her." Naruto said making a sharp U-turn.
"Report in after you find them. Be careful Naruto."
"You as well." With that the connection ended. The fox teen's tail flicked angrily as he headed to the Stadium, hoping for the best. Naruto braked harshly, running over two Metal Heads that were close to attacking a familiar blond.
"Thanks Naruto." Tess said sliding on the bike behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "How's Vin?" His silence as he drove was her answer.
"Have you heard from anyone?" Naruto asked as they drove to the Stadium.
"No, nor have I seen anyone." Tess answered. It was horrifying driving through Haven. Civilians screaming and running as Krimzon Guards fought off the Metal Heads along side the Underground, many dieing on both sides. The Stadium was a war ground. Naruto drove up to the garage and stopped, lunging off the bike and sinking his claws into the nearest Metal Head, earning a grateful nod from the guard he saved before running off to help others.
Naruto followed Tess inside Keira's garage. He let out a sigh of relief seeing Keira, Old Samos, Young Samos, Onin, and Pecker all safe. Keira opened her mouth to ask Naruto something, but the teen already took off into the war zone outside their safe haven. He ripped apart any Metal Heads in his way towards a familiar bob of silver-blond hair.
"Back off!" Quix yelled over the fighting. For every one Metal Head Naruto killed to get to her she already pushed her way past three. Her dark pink eyes darted to a Krimzon Guard that had just fallen and had four Metal Heads on them. Quix threw her entire weight into shouldering them off. Her Eco pistol shot all of them point blank.
"You alright?" She asked to the fallen female guard that stared up at her in wonder. "Come on we're on the same side now. Let's show these Metal Heads whose boss!" Quix said offering her hand to the guard. The woman allowed the shorter one to pull her up and soon they fought back to back.
"You're good, for a guard." The silver-blond said as the guard round house kicked a Metal Head in the face. Before the guard could answer another Metal Head lunged at her, sinking its teeth into the metal of her helmet. The Krimzon Guard grabbed the beast and threw it off, taking her helmet with it. Quix's dark pink eyes went with as she took in the once prison guard's face.
"Yule…" The female guard blinked at her name, her short brown hair plastered to he neck and forehead. Light pink eyes stared into dark pink orbs. "You're alive…"
Ashelin let out a curse as she found herself surrounded by Metal Heads and only a few bullets left. She smiled as Naruto tackled the closest Metal Head, wrestling it to the ground and breaking its neck. The redhead was given enough time to raid the closest dead Krimzon Guard body for bullet. She said a quick prayer to the Precursors for forgiveness then reloaded her gun.
It took a long time to clear out the Stadium. Ashelin looked at Naruto who was climbing back onto a Krimzon Guard Bike. "I'll call Torn and tell him we're alright. Keep safe." She said to the blond. He nodded and grinned.
"You be safe too." The fox teen said before driving off in search for Peter, Rucah, Jewell, and Crow. It didn't take the blond too long to find Crow, Peter, and Jewell. The three were all outside the Palace with a large group of guards and Underground members alike protecting civilians.
"Like, Naruto!" Crow said as Naruto pulled up next to him. "Like, this area is totally over run! We're like, totally trying to protect the civilians." He said, not even bothering to look over his shoulder as he shot a Metal Head that tried to attack him.
"Torn's worried. None of you have reported in." Naruto said as Jewell joined them.
"Just did. Grandfather- I mean Doctor Duhon is also safe." She said, worry for her last family member and Haven bright in her single light blue eye. The tall woman looked over her shoulder as Peter joined them.
"Three more found." He said and nodded to Naruto.
"Good. We better continue sweeping the city. Any news on the others?" Jewell asked as Crow shot at another approaching Metal Head.
"Most of them are at the Stadium, which is now cleared of Metal Heads. I still need to find Rucah." The fox teen said.
"Like, Rucah could be like, totally anywhere." Crow said then cursing under his breath. "Fucking Metal Heads." The redhead growled before running from the group towards a new wave of Metal Heads. Jewell frowned at the number of Metal Heads approaching and Crow's rash behavior.
"Try the Slums. Rucah might be there." She said before joining the battle. Naruto looked at Peter, whose brown eyes were filled with worry.
"Water Slums." The silent man said.
"Thanks, be safe Peter."
"You too." With that Naruto was speeding to the Water Slums.
Rucah held back a scream as more Metal Heads piled on top of him, tearing him apart. He could hear guards and Underground members yelling as they fought to get to him. His jade eyes started to close, accepting his fate when a flash of red in the sea of Metal Heads caught his eyes. Who knew he'd live to see the day he'd be grateful to see Krimzon red.
"Rucah!" The blue-black haired man's eyes snapped open. Naruto. Naruto had come to save him. Easily, the Metal Heads were torn off him by clawed hands. Dull, ruby red had edged Naruto's sapphire eyes and the whisker like marks on his cheeks were more noticeable. "Rucah…" The fox teen said as he knelt next to his bleeding form, remarkably the blue bandana hiding his face still intact.
"Thanks, Naruto."
"Hang on. I'll take you back to the Underground. Doctor Duhon will take care of you." Naruto said as the guards and Underground fought off Metal Heads. Underneath his bandana, Rucah smiled. Gently, the fox teen lifted the injured man and placed him on the Krimzon Guard Bike. The blond slid on behind him, using one hand to drive and the other to hold Rucah on the Zoomer.
Torn paused to take a breath. The Underground base was filled with civilians and wounded, Krimzon Guards and members, it had to be protected. The second in command looked up as Naruto pulled up in a Krimzon Guard Bike, blood all over him and the Zoomer. Three people rushed toward him, taking the wounded Rucah from him and taking him into the Underground for treatment. It was odd seeing a Krimzon Guard enter the base.
"Naruto. You did good. The only ones who have reported in his Jak and Dax-"
"Naruto…" Jak's voice suddenly came through on Naruto's com-link, cutting off the rest of Torn's statement. "Me and Dax, we're at the Port but there's too many Metal Heads and I'm almost out of ammo." He sounded exhausted, both physically and mentally. "We need help."
"I'm on my way, just don't move…or shoot any guards." There was a chuckle.
"Be pointless now since we're all fighting the Metal Heads." There was a hiss of pain.
"I'm coming." Naruto said then took off towards Port, not waiting for anything Torn had to say.
Jak smirked as Naruto appeared on a Krimzon Guard Bike, but soon frowned. He was covered in blood. Not that the once hero's state was any better. It had taken him forever to get to Underport, everyone needed help on the way there and even if the guards were once his enemy it was hard to ignore those who fought the same enemy now.
"Dear Precursors." Naruto said as he slid off the cruiser and knelt next to the bleeding Jak, Daxter looking up at him worriedly. "I'm going to get you to Duhon, he'll take care of you. Think you can hold on to me while I drive?" The fox teen asked as he helped Jak to his feet. He had learned with Rucah how hard it was to drive one handed. The green-blond nodded.
"Sig." Jak said as he was put on the Zoomer. Naruto got on in front of him, the once hero's arms wrapping around his waist tightly automatically as he rested his head on the blond's back. Daxter moved to the fox teen's shoulder, also looking worse for wear. "He's dead." Jak whispered as he closed his eyes, remembering the last few moments he had with Sig. Naruto sighed as he drove back towards the Underground.
First Vin now Sig…who's next?
Torn yawned as he rubbed his eyes. Metal Heads were still in the city even as the sun set, and as much as he would like to be out there taking them down even he needed rest. The ex-Krimzon Guard paused as he walked past the infirmary, which had spilled out into the hallways.
Naruto sat outside the doors asleep in fresh clothing. Torn frowned at the dark bags under his closed sapphire eyes. He bent down next to the sixteen year old, placing a hand on the blond's shoulder and shaking it. The fox teen didn't even stir.
The brunette let out a deep breath through his nose and gathered the blond in his arms. Tomorrow was the day Keira and the Sages planned to storm the Metal Head Nest. Knowing Jak and Daxter they would head right into the mess, Naruto on their heels. The least Torn could do now was make sure Naruto slept in a proper bed.
Getting close to the end! Only three more chapters to go! Those who have played Jak II know what's to come! Thank you for all the favs, alerts, and reviews!