Time for their escape. But, there's always time to cause a little trouble first, too, isn't there?

Chapter 30: Dark Eco Crystals

With the Morph-Gun working as a makeshift crutch for the injured Jak, they made their way out into the hallway, littered with the dispatched bodies of the monsters, though this didn't stop Torn from getting his pistol ready and peering off down both directions to ensure nothing else was coming that needed a good shooting. That left Daxter to lead the way. Spending the most time wandering these halls out of the three of them, he knew where everything was, including the best places to hide. Well, ottsel-sized hiding places, at least.

Daxter began to head off down the hallway, keeping a close eye on the dead creatures, just in case some weren't as dead as they should be, but Jak stayed put as another issue surfaced in his mind, one that was just as important as escaping, if not more so. "Wait a minute," he said, "the robot, we gotta do something about it. Has it returned to Haven City yet?"

"No, not since I've been there," Torn said, watching as Daxter stopped to inspect one of the creatures.

"Do you know where it is, Dax?"

The ottsel jumped back with a strangled squeal when the monster twitched, nearly losing his balance in his surprise. Breathing heavily, he watched the creature a moment longer to ensure it would stay still and dead this time before returning his attention to his friend. "Of course. I know this place like the back of my paw. Come on." He ran past them to head in the opposite direction, and they began to follow, Torn first, and then a slower Jak, one hand sliding along the rough, cold wall for extra support.

They continued for some time through various rooms and passageways, black except for the flickering candlelight along the walls. All the while, Daxter would peek around any corners they reached to check for unwanted visitors. Thus far, the place remained empty, but where were Gol and Maia?

I don't like this, Jak thought. Something's not right. It can't be this easy.

The place stayed silent except for their footsteps, and a chill pervaded the air, a chill that should be no different from what Jak had endured here night after night, but somehow, it seemed stronger here. Maybe it was just his imagination. And maybe it was also just his imagination when he thought he heard a rustling from behind, running down a hallway they had just passed that went perpendicular to theirs. He stopped and looked back, but saw nothing. Not that he could see much of anything in this darkness, a darkness that seemed to be closing in on him, like it would eventually close in so tight, it would trap him right where he stood, and he would never get out.

He turned and continued after the others, who seemed to be unaware of anything out of the ordinary. On second thought, Daxter was being surprisingly quiet, and Torn looked over for a moment, as if silently checking if Jak felt it, too. But, he couldn't tell one way or the other if they felt eyes directed at them. He looked back again, more out of instinct than in an attempt to actually spot anything in this darkness.

As they turned yet another corner in the twisting passageways of the temple, they spotted a doorway illuminated up ahead, no doubt by a much greater amount of lighting than the hallways were given. Daxter's pace quickened, and a sick feeling settled in Jak's stomach. If something happened, he wasn't ready for it. Not with his body like this. As they entered the room, Jak looked up at the robot that stood before them, silent and still, and he couldn't help but feel it had been waiting for him.

Daxter ran up to it and kicked it in the foot. "You're next, robot!" he said.

Laughter rang out across the room, and Daxter screamed, jumping away from the huge machine. "I didn't mean it!"

Jak spun around to face the source of the noise, as Maia floated down to block the exit. "I just knew I'd find you fools here. You have a chance to save yourselves, and instead, you run right back into danger." Her eyes swept over Jak and landed on Daxter, these eyes narrowing as the ottsel stiffened under her gaze. "An especially foolish thing for you…"

Jak caught his friend shiver before she turned her gaze to Torn, her smile widening. "And I see you brought another guest. How kind of you. More fun for me. I might even save some for my dear brother."

"So your brother's still hiding from me?" Jak said.

She rolled her eyes. "Enough already. You don't seem to realize it, but I can see right through you." She floated over to him, slow and lazy, before leaning over to put a finger in his face. "You talk tough, thinking I'll forget that you're completely at my mercy."

"I guess you forgot I now have a gun."

"And so do I."

Maia had barely enough time to bring up a shield as Torn shot off several bullets at her head. She snarled and sped backwards and up, sending bolts of Dark Eco lightning at her assailant with both hands, an attack he just managed to avoid, though a few stray bolts did manage to singe his hair and clothes, leaving black on one sleeve as a reminder of how close the lightning had come. She then returned her attention to Jak, hands still raised. "Don't think I've forgotten you."

Jak attempted to avoid what he knew was coming, raising his Morph-Gun and stumbling backwards without its support, but that was all he had time for before his body was enveloped in electricity. He heard gunshots from his left, and it stopped, and he nearly fell over, his body in protest over any more pain it was forced to endure. He caught his balance and switched his gun to the Peace Maker, aiming it at her for a moment before spinning around to face the robot. This is what we came for, after all, he thought. He fired several Peace Maker shots at what he remembered to be the most destructive cannon, the sound of fighting from behind him stopping.

Maia screamed in rage as the shots struck the joint of the robot's arm, one after the other, until the cannon was blown clean off. "How dare you! I'll have you skinned, as well!"

Jak barely managed to jump out of the way, fueled by pure adrenaline, when Maia flung several shots of her own at him, crackling balls of Dark Eco that seemed to possess the wrath of their creator. On second thought, maybe that's just what I need.

Torn's efforts began to pick up again now that the distraction was over, forcing Maia to turn her sights back on him or risk getting hit. But, Jak needed her attention. He stood still, daring her to hit him. You want to wake Dark Jak, be my guest. As expected, seeing her victim in a most convenient position, she sent a large Dark Eco ball careening at him, a shield ready to protect her from anything Torn would attempt while she was distracted. It struck him in the chest, and he gasped as it burned holes in his clothes and ate at his skin, the force of the shot throwing him back twenty feet, where he slid on the rough floor before coming to a stop.

She laughed, while Daxter yelled his companion's name, running out from where he had been hiding behind one of the robot's feet. He grabbed Jak by the collar and shook it. "You okay, Jak? Get up and kill that witch!"

Perhaps his little plan was not such a good idea, after all. His skin burned where he had been hit, and while Dark Jak was awake again, it was just a distant presence deep within him. "I'm fine, Dax. I'm…"

Over there.

"What?"

"I didn't say anything." Daxter's head shot to the side to see Torn and Maia having at it once again. He was firing at her at such a speed, she had no choice but to keep her attention focused on him rather than the prone Jak.

Don't you smell it?

Jak turned his head to see the dismembered robot arm lying nearby. There was a smell. Concentrated Dark Eco. And it was coming from within the arm.

Bingo.

He turned back to his friend. "Dax, you and Torn get out of here."

"What? We can't leave you!"

"I have a plan, but you can't be here. Trust me."

The ottsel studied him, ears drooping, before nodding. His ears shot back up. "You can count on me, Jak!" Jak watched a moment longer as his friend scurried off in the direction of Torn, before turning his attention back to the cannon. Now how do I get it open? He forced himself to his feet, using his gun for support. It wasn't long before the sound of fighting ceased.

"Your friends have the strangest habit of running off," came Maia's voice from behind him. He looked back to see her floating towards him, hands on her hips, with half-lidded eyes and a grin on her face. "Looks like it's just you and me now. We've been spending a lot of time alone lately." She raised one hand, studying it as if it was much more interesting than the man before her. "Such a shame this will be the last of our little…talks. I rather enjoyed them."

He watched as she drew closer. "I can't say the same."

She laughed, turning red eyes back on him. "There you go again. Trying to hide your fear. I know it's there. You are helpless before me. Only a complete idiot wouldn't be afraid. Are you a complete idiot?"

"Actually, normally people are afraid of me. At least, you will be soon." He glanced to the side again. How was he going to get it open? And how was he going to deal with her until then?

"Is that so? I'd like to see that."

He dodged as she sent sparks at him. "Just wait and see." More contact with her Dark Eco-infused attacks may help in further waking his dark side, but he couldn't risk getting incapacitated again, either. He sent a Peace Maker shot at her and then another at the cannon, his last one. But, as blackened and dented as the cannon was from its treatment, it still remained intact, only spinning across the floor farther from him when it was struck.

"You really don't like that thing, do you?" she said, sending more Eco balls his way. They grazed him as he staggered for the cannon, leaving more burns on his arms and eating more holes in his clothing. He switched his Morph-Gun to the Blaster and opened fire on the battered weapon before him. Come on, already!

"Oh, I think I know what you're after," Maia said. "You want to become like us, after all?"

The paneling looked loose. Dropping his gun, he flung himself upon the cannon and began to pry it open, forcing fingers into any opening he could find, using every ounce of strength left in his arms. He almost had it. He could see something purple within. If he could just…

"As much as I like the idea, however, I don't think I can allow it this time." She was electrocuting him again, and he yelled out, as much from pain as from frustration. He was so close!

She released him, and he fell limply on the cannon, breathing heavily. His hand landed on something warm and strangely pulsing. He opened his eyes wider. He remembered seeing these long ago, at least, it felt like long ago, when Daxter and he had visited the Spider Caves, back when they still lived in that peaceful world, without guns and wars and worries. When he was still a barefoot, mute boy without a care in the world, and without a dark side… But, this wasn't a time to reminisce about better days. He was stuck here in this time, he had learned that long ago, and it was his job to protect it. And that's exactly what he was going to do.

Jak reached in farther to press his full palm against the Dark Eco crystal, drawing strength from it. As much as he hated what he was about to do, there was no other way. Not right now. Maia electrocuted him again, but he held his hand steady, the combined sources of Dark Eco causing Dark Jak to grow and grow until he felt like he could hardly contain it much longer. The pain faded away, and the crystal turned cloudy and white and cold. It was dead. But, he…he felt alive again. His hand was turning white, and his nails were growing, and his thoughts became fuzzy and disorganized. He pushed himself upright to see Maia, her smile gone, staring at her hands. These hands turned into fists as she looked down at him, a snarl forming on her lips.

"How dare you…"

Her voice was distant, echoing. He would slice that pretty, little throat of hers. His mouth became a slow smile, and then everything was a blur as he pounced at her, pulling her to the ground. She screamed at him, beating at him with fists before pushing herself free, and started sending lightning at him again, but he didn't even feel it.

She stopped and backed away. That clicking…those heels…he hated that sound! He growled, and then he was charging at her, claws ready, and she put up an arm, and he cut across it, maroon blood running down it, oh, he could smell it. He wanted more, more of that smell, of blood mixed with Dark Eco. He was upon her again, clawing at her as she fought and snarled. Blood, more blood, more of that smell, spots and flecks and blotches all over his hands and all over her pretty, little face.

She struck his foot with her heel, twisting, a crunch, and pain. How dare her! He would tear her apart! There would be nothing left when he was through with her. Nothing but that blood and that smell. And the clicking heels would be gone, all gone!

She slipped free, arms and tattered gloves slick with blood, and she sped away from him. How could she fly like that when he couldn't? That pretty, little bird, bloody, little bird, he would bring her down. He, the cat, she, the bird. He started shooting balls of Eco at her, but she flew out of the way. She was too fast; it wasn't fair! He growled and sent more shots as she swept across the room, several missing and hitting the robot, I don't want the robot, I want her, come down here! He was bound to hit her, keep shooting, bring the bird down, so the cat can eat her! He struck her, and she cried out, but she didn't fall, that stupid, little, fluttering sparrow…

He staggered and fell to one knee. He…he felt weak. But, the bird… He was on the floor, what… What happened… So much blood on his hands…on his chest…how much…was he dead?

Jak lay on the cold floor, panting for air, skin color returning, long nails retracting back into his fingers and horns shrinking back into his head. He rolled onto his side. The robot…it was on the ground. Had he knocked it down? And where was Maia? Was she dead? He forced himself, shaky as he was, into a sitting position. He didn't see her anywhere. Best to get out of here. He stood and fell back down with a yell. His foot, he thought it was broken. But, when did that happen?

His Morph-Gun lay not far away. He pulled himself towards it, foot dragging along behind him. As careful as he was, he couldn't prevent the spider web of pain that continued to shoot up and down the center of his foot. He gritted his teeth. Just get out of here. Focus on that. He reached his gun and, setting it upright on the side with his broken foot, attempted to stand. He got himself up on his good foot, then drug the other one over beside it. But, once he put any pressure on it, he yelled and leaned all his weight on his gun, waiting for the pain to recede. It didn't. Come on, Jak. One step at a time. He started to make his way towards the doorway, each step a different kind of pain no matter what foot he used, his makeshift crutch not nearly as effective as he would have liked it to be.

His slow pace brought him closer and closer to the doorway, and Daxter's head popped around the corner. "Jak, you're alive!" The ottsel ran into the room, followed by Torn. His pace slowed as he neared his friend, his expression taking on a mixture of worry and horror, ears falling back once again, though the shock at seeing Jak's newest appearance was likely dampened at having already found his friend weak and injured not long earlier. "You look even worse than you did an hour ago! Are you okay? You're…you're covered in blood!"

Jak looked down to find, once again, the sight Daxter had described, a sight that was more potent the second time. He was certainly weak, but he didn't think he was weak enough for that amount of blood loss. He put a hand to his shirt, sticky with the mess, but cold, the blood starting to dry. "Actually, I'm not certain most of this is mine," he said, a nausea settling into his stomach. Finding it better to stare at something else, he looked back up at his friends. "But, I told you guys to get out of here!"

"You don't tell me to do anything," Torn said. "We just laid low until we were sure it was safe to come back. We gotta get you to the cruiser. Yours is in rough shape, but I have another one hidden someplace else."

"Just lead the way."

Daxter took his place as guide again with the intent on leading the two out of the lower levels until Torn could take them the rest of the way. But, they hadn't gone far before his companions stopped to face the limping man again.

"What's the matter?" Torn said.

"It's nothing."

"You're limpin' more than ever now, too," Daxter said. "We gotta get out before those loonies come back!"

"It's just a broken foot. I'm fine."

Torn put out an arm. "Come on."

"Torn, I didn't know you cared."

"Lean on me, you idiot! At this rate, we won't be out of here by the end of the week!"

With the extra support, their pace quickened, and they made their way out of the lower levels of the temple. Jak's heart kept a fast rhythm, expecting those two to make an appearance again, to kill all three of them before they ever even made it to the cruiser, but nothing happened. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but strain his ears for any threatening noise, even as they made their way into rooms and passageways lit only by the intermittent moonlight streaming through crumbling walls and windows, areas obviously unused by the two, monstrous siblings.

Somehow, they made their way to the cruiser without incident. Jak got in, refusing anymore help from Torn, while Daxter regained his rightful place on Jak's shoulder, something Jak had probably missed most of all during his time here. Torn eased the cruiser out through a gaping hole in the wall, and they sped off in the direction of Haven City.

As Jak thought over his most recent nightmare and wondered if he'd suddenly wake up and find his rescue to be a mere dream, he also thought back to the robot. He had damaged it. He had even drained the crystal that had been powering the cannon. But, was it enough? Would anything he did ever be enough in the end?

Another fight scene occurred! I must do so many in this story! It's good practice, I suppose. Please review.