Chapter 7:
We jumped down from a ledge into an alley that lead out to the city. Jak breathed in the polluted air, stretching his stiff muscles. It was a long time since he had seen what the outside looked like. I patted his back and we began to walk. Jak looked at his surroundings. Unlike me, he seemed pissed with the area. He glared at some of the civilians, scaring them off.
An old man in blue robes stepped towards us. I quickly went in defense mode, "Hello there strangers, my name are Kor can I help…" Kor greeted us but Jak quickly cut him off, "you look like a reasonably smart man. I need information, where the hell is this place!?" I prayed and hoped that Jak would beat the old man up, but sadly my prayers were not heard, "aah, sorry, he's new to the whole conversation thing" said Daxter. Kor recomposed himself, "well, my angry young friend, you are a guest of 'glorious' Haven city." Jak crossed his arms, "I was just a 'guest' of the 'good' baron's prison" he replied sarcastically. I noticed the little boy hiding behind the old coot. I smiled softly waving hello. The little boy smiled back, "inside the cell or inside the city…we are all his prisoners" Kor said solemnly.
The conversation was ended by the sound of heavy footsteps. A group of crimson guards had made their presence known, guns in their hands, "By order of his eminence, the Grand Protector of Haven City, Baron Praxis, everyone in this section is hereby under arrest for suspicion of Harboring underground fugitives. Surrender and die!" the leader yelled out. Daxter walked up to the guard carefully, "Aah, excuse me sir?" the guard looked down at the small rodent. "Don't you mean surrender...OR DIE?!" Kor backed away with the kid. "Not in this city, protect us from these guards, and I can lead you to someone who can help you!" he called to Jak, "young lady help me protect the child!" as much as I didn't like the old man I couldn't let the boy get harmed. I ran over to the kid and wrapped my arms around him. His little arms snaked around my neck tightly, burrowing his face in my neck. I looked behind me and a crimson guard had made his way behind me. I dodged as he took the butt of his gun and tried to hit me.
Jak was doing his best to fight off the shooting guards; he was getting angrier by the second. 'Any moment he would turn into his darker self' I thought to myself. I lunged forward, dodging another blow to the head. I rolled to the ground, covering the kid's head and got back up on my feet. I glared at the guard, sending him a swift kick to his gut. It wasn't a very strong kick but it was enough to get him to lurch back away long enough for us to escape. Jak saw the guard that was attacking me and gave the guard an uppercut to his jaw. He had finally made it to his breaking point and changed. His features changed and he attacked the guards with ease. The unfortunate thing was that the bodies didn't disappear like in the game.
These were actual people who died not even two seconds ago. The smell of rusty metal reached my nose. I pressed the kids face closer so he wouldn't be able to see. Blood was seeping out of the bodies. I tried to hold back my lunch. I looked over at Jak as he finished off the last of the guards. This was the result of the dark eco. Daxter was praising him for his new power. He didn't dare look at the bloody mess. Jak had turned back to himself dropping to his knees, "something's happening to me…something he did…I can't…control it." He grimaced.
We stood away from the area for the child's sake; Kor came out from his hiding spot rubbing his chin. "Very impressive..." he muttered. I glared at the old man, "there's nothing good about this!" I snapped. The old man was taken by surprise. I put my hand on Jak's shoulder, "are you okay Jak?" I asked gently. He nodded stiffly. Kor recovered. I put the kid down and ruffled his hair. He ran back to Kor hiding behind him again, "what you did was very brave…this child is important." Daxter examined the child closely, "this kid? He looks like kinda scruffy." The kid backed away from the talking animal, "Dax, you're scaring him." The ottsel pouted and climbed onto Jak's shoulder. "Thank you for your help, but I must get this boy to safety." Kor began to walk away with the kid, "hey! What about us?" Daxter yelled. "There is an underground group raging war against the baron. Its leader, the shadow, could use fighters like you! Got to the slums, find a dead end alley near the city wall. Ask for torn, he can help you" Kor replied. I glared at the old man, watching him leave, "I don't like him." "Why?" Jak asked curiously. "I just don't"
(From this point its 3rd person)
The blonde stared after the man but couldn't see why the girl didn't like him. Shrugging it off the trio went on their way towards the slums. They hijacked a poor guy's one person zoomer. Jak learned the ropes of how to drive and he rather liked the speed. He sped all the way to their destination, scaring the wits off his companions. Daxter practically dug his claws into Jak's shoulder, as Audrey held a vice grip around the boy's waist. Much to their relief and Jak's disappointment, they finally made it to the dead end alley.
Audrey quickly climbed off the zoomer, "land sweet land! I'll never leave you again!" she laid sprawled on the cold stone ground. Jak rolled his eyes grinning. He liked her more and more, "c'mon, it wasn't that bad" "not that bad?! You nearly rammed us into a building!" Daxter glared. The blonde chuckled, "hey, I'm new at this" "oh for the love of- let's just get this thing over with" said the brunette who rolled her eyes.
Daxter and Jak snickered at the fuming girl, but all too soon the atmosphere became serious when a tall blonde girl blocked their way.
Jak got between the two girls who were having a glaring contest, "uh, were looking for a guy named torn…Kor sent us…Um…" a tall figure with auburn hair pulled into dreads, similar clothing to Jak and gray tattoos on his face came into view taking the other blonde's place. Jak stepped back, "uh, are you…torn?" he asked unsure. "Maybe he's a mute, like you used to be" Daxter piped in. Audrey rolled her eyes at the three. Torn began to circle around us, as if he were inspecting us, "new faces make me nervous. Word is your out to join the fight for the city. Picking the wrong side could be… unhealthy" he grinned.
Jak stood his ground, "we want to see the shadow" torn chuckled," not likely. If oyu want to join something why don't you, your girlfriend and pet go join a circus?" he mocked. You could almost see the steam coming out of the brunette's ears, her face turning red in anger. Torn noticed, his grin getting bigger, "Heh, unless you got the fur for a really tough task?" He brought his hand behind his back, and pulled out a short but wide blade in the shape of a crescent. Daxter quivered at the sight of the blade. "Steal the Baron's banner from the top of the Ruined Tower and bring it back to me. Then maybe we'll talk." He flipped the blade in the air and caught it with ease. Audrey raised her fist, but Jak grabbed her wrist and dragged her away from the crude man, "down, girl."
"Can you believe him?! The nerve of that guy!" Audrey flailed her arms in the air in aggravation. she was always fond of torn as a character, always finding his ride remarks hilarious, but when it comes to her that his remarks are being placed it, well, it ticked her off, "ooh we'll show him, right Jak?" Jak grinned and nodded his head. 'She sure is something' Jak thought to himself. The girl had spunk he had to admit. She wasn't like anyone he knew. The blonde chuckled as Audrey went on ranting. They made their way into another dead end alley. A small cliff led down to a sealed metal door. Jak jumped down first and caught the brunette. Putting her down, they watched the door unlock itself at their presence "you are now leaving the city" a robotic female voice echoed.
The water was dirty and disgusting. Who knew what lurked in there. Old buildings and foundations were somehow still standing. There was particular building that was still standing taller than the others. The banner was at the very top, blowing in the wind," you should wait here; it's not safe up there. It'll be faster if I go alone" "good idea."
The boys quickly went on their way.. They climbed onto the broken ledges and steps, making their way higher. They kicked a couple of little green monsters that resembled frogs and beat up the alligator looking ones. There were few close calls where the floor beneath them began to crumble nearly making them fall into the swampy water.
They climbed up the building and got the banner. Unfortunately when Jak had taken the banner out, The ground crumbled underneath them and they fell."WWHWHHHAAAA!" Daxter screamed. Jak rebounded off a fabric shelter, the ottsel not far behind, "WWHHOOAAA" At this point; Jak landed and started grinding down a rope, while Daxter landed on it on his crotch. "OOOOOAAAA!" Audrey winced, thanking whatever higher power she was a girl at the moment. The ottsel bounced off.
Meanwhile, Jak landed gracefully on the ground holding the banner proudly to Torn who appeared behind the small girl. Daxter not so graceful, landed on his stomach beside Jak. The tower crumbled apart. Torn gawked at the scene, "Yeah, I guess you guys are in."